"Hosting the contest is Rona Lisa Peretti (Lucia Spina), a former bee winner. An actress of great verve and grand pipes, Spina suggests Bette Midler in the guise of a homeroom teacher."

--Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times

"The Chicago cast--especially Lucia Spina and James Earl Jones II--warble like champions."

--Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"There is not one weak link in the talent on stage, but there are two standouts that must be mentioned. Lucia Spina who plays Rona Lisa Peretti, one of the two judges of the Bee and former winner of the competition, and Derrick Trumbly... Spina has an alto belt equal to that of Patti LuPone, impeccable comic timing and a fan kick that would make any Rockette envious."

--Michael J. Roberts, broadwayworld.com

"Special mention must be made of the sensational Lucia Spina as Bee host Rona Lisa Peretti."

--Joe Stead, Steadstyle Chicago

"Corti and his fellow artists have set a standard for excellence and given Drury Lane at Water Tower Place a spectacular sendoff. (****)"

--Jeff Rossen, Gay Chicago Magazine

"Their wives -- current and ex -- are varied examples of girl power that can emasculate and support with the flip of a hip. Especially effective are Lucia Spina (another former Wheeler) as Harold's comfort-loving spouse..."

-- Marcia Fulmer, The Truth

"An executive from the mill, Harold Nichols (Michael Accardo), hides his joblessness from his high-living wife, Vicki (a Bette Midler-like Lucia Spina), who he fears married him for his money alone."

--Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times

--Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times

"Streisand Is Not The Only Funny Lady! When Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald grace the stages of Ravinia, September 3rd-5th for a concert revival of Sunday In The Park With George, they just might better beware. They are in supreme danger of being upstaged by the vibrant and funny, local cabaret singer and actress Lucia Spina."

"Spina, who performs every week as part of the staff at Davenport's is a delight to behod and, surely, a musical comedy star in the making!"

"...sassy and creative..."

"Lucia Spina is just like Vitamin C--you simply need her to have a well rounded and healthy life!"

--Brian Kirst, Crusin' Chicago

-- Marcia Fulmer, The Truth

"Lucia Spina has fun as a clumsy, predatory mistress with myopia..."

-- Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Reader

"Lucia Spina and Chris Petschler were very funny in the roles of Rita LaPorta and Vinnie DiRuzzio -- a near-sighted, gun-toting gal and her brother, a squeamish dentist. "

-- Gary Puckett, Suburban Chicago News

-- Russ Bickerstaff, On Milwaukee.com

"I have often said - when talking about performers that appear at Davenport's - that they could sing the menu ... or they could sing the phone book ... or some such analogy to prove the breadth and depth of their talent.

Lucia Spina - thank you very much - proves me right in "Lucia's Mob Hits" which she performs with style and grace at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays in March and April at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee, Chicago (dinner package with Lucia's Ristorante).

This young Italian song stylist delivers her diverse set of music with joy and enthusiasm sprinkled with home-spun patter that shimmers under the warm lights of the premier listening room.

In addition to songs associated with (honorary Italian) Rosemary Clooney, Spina offers a taste of Sinatra, the Beatles, Pat Benatar, and Dean Martin. This smorgasbord of songs sounds like the sweet end of the St. Joseph's table.

She'll remind you of the sexy Italian aunts that used to come over at Christmas time and sing wonderful songs while puffing on long cigarettes until you drift off into a warm slumber. (No Italian aunts? You better see this show and see what you've been missing.)

Spina can produce a laugh with the same ease that she can reach in and touch your heart by simply manipulating the timbre of her voice or by winking her eye.

Directed by Daryl Nitz, this show moves at a pace that will fill you up like a pound of pasta but still leave enough room for a canolli.

There are in the set two songs that - if not done impeccably - can call down the fire of many Italian-Americans.

"Don't You Know" and "That's Life" are not songs that are taken lightly - and Spina nails them both without breaking a sweat. Delicious."

-- Paul Barile, Chicago Arts & Entertainment

Culinary cabaret, anyone? That's what's on the menu on Wednesdays as Lucia Spina continues her "Lucia's Mob Hits: a culinary musical experience," which combines two of the finer things in life, food and music. Patrons first partake of the fare at Lucia Ristorante (1825 W. North) and then move to Davenport's for Spina's sumptuous after-supper serenade.

--Jeff Rossen, Gay Chicago Magazine

-- Todd Shuman, Cabaret Hotline Online

As the title says, this is an evening of love songs, leaf songs, and trip songs that Ms. Spina strings together with witty dialogue. Her song selections are hard to beat, and she performs outstanding renditions of "Irving", "Don't You Know", and "Taking A Chance On Love". Her version of Julie Gold's "Southbound Train" is one of the finest I have heard, and her arrangement of "Unchained Melody" and "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" (with assistance from musical director Gary Wendt) was astounding."

-- Todd Shuman, Cabaret Hotline Online

-- Tom Alesia, Wisconsin State Journal

-- Jeri Seeley, The PAPER

"Lucia Spina was mesmerizing as the man-hungry Hildy, longing for someone to "Come Up To My Place." She had the va-voom of a Mae West and the sexy voice to match. Spina's Hildy was also hilarious, and had me caring more that she got the guy than I did about Gabey, the main character, getting the girl."

-- Jodee Shaw, The Goshen News

"Among the three ladies who become the sailors' 24-hour companions, Lucia Spina makes the strongest impression as Hildy, the hot-to-trot cabbie who picks up Chip for her last fare and won't take no for an answer..."

-- Julie York Coppens, South Bend Tribune

"Spina's pseudo-culinary seduction, "I Can Cook (Too)"...is a genuine treasure."

--Marcia Fulmer, The Truth

-- Jeri Seeley, The PAPER

"His (Henry Higgins's) female counter part, the professor's housekeeper, Mrs. Pearce, played with 'Upstairs, Downstairs' control and an increasingly worried air by the talented Lucia Spina."

-- Marcia Fulmer, The Truth

-- Jodee Shaw, The Goshen News

"Spina ...gave a sparkling performance."

"Spina starts chatting up the audience as soon as she takes the stage. Right away, she establishes a friendly, comedic rapport. Then she launches into a series of Broadway and jazz tunes... that show off her expansive vocal range."

"Spina's voice is as changeable as water, meandering one moment and surging the next. It can sound as low-down and dirty as Bessie Smith's or as pure and lilting as Julie Andrew's."

"Consistent from one song to the next is her potency. Spina's power and intensity easily rivals Linda Ronstadt's. At times, sheer volume drowns out emotive nuances, but her voice and body language are nevertheless expressive. She possesses a voice that simply will not be contained."

"... Spina was worth it."

-- Dawn Klingensmith, Suburban Chicago News