PRESS | sara

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2022) - Stray Dog Theatre (Marcy Park)

"The highly adept singer and choreographer Sara Rae Womack is quizzical in watching the others compete, when she's not rolling her eyes at a softball word to spell." Richard Green, Talkin' Broadway

"Sara Rae Womack is a hoot as the precocious Marcy, who knows the score and is deciding what exactly to do about it." Mark Bretz, Ladue News

"Sara Rae Womack keeps Marcy down to earth, allowing her go from mean girl to feeling real joy in choosing not to overachieve." Tina Farmer, KDHX

Head Over Heels (2022) - New Line Theatre (Choreographer, Ensemble)

"Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack’s choreography seems sharper and more in sync than remembered, which may be in part due to some strong additions in the ensemble...The setting in Arcadia, apparently a Mt. Olympus adjacent kingdom, also creates plenty of space for whimsy, slapstick comedy, LGBTQIA acceptance, and dance breaks that make the audience want to join in." Tina Farmer, KDHX

"The music and movements are like a tonic here – after all the drama and reality of the past couple of years, it’s such a relief to see people doing what they are passionate about, and our second chance to make a connection that is unique to the art form... Womack and Sauer teamed on the choreography that keeps everyone in motion for 11 dance numbers. Yes, eleven. That’s a lot for a show!" Lynn Venhaus, PopLifeSTL

"There’s a (near-riotous) party going on at New Line Theatre. Scott Miller and his merry band have unleashed Head Over Heels. Unleashed again, that is. Their first production was stopped in its tracks two years ago this month by the pandemic...there’s the choreography from Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack, dazzling and athletic and in-your-face." Ann Pollack, St. Louis Eats and Drinks

"...it seemed to me there are even more dazzling vocals this time around, to embellish the fiendishly fun choreography by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack." Richard Green, Talkin' Broadway

"The dance numbers sparkle in the exuberant choreography by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack." Gerry Kowarsky, HEC Media

"The zesty, exuberant choreography created by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack is better and tighter in this new presentation than in the 2020 version, further underscoring the show’s upbeat persona." Mark Bretz, Ladue News

"In Head Over Heels, choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack deliver their best work ever." Judy Newmark, Act II

Billy Elliot: The Musical - COCA Center of Creative Arts (Mrs. Wilkinson)

"Sara Rae Womack, always wonderful, is even better in the range and directness of her Mrs. Wilkinson, the ballet teacher who mentors and shepherds Billy’s development." Bob Wilcox, HEC Media

"Billy's introduction to the ballet is a three costume-change extravaganza, where a dance instructor (impeccable Sara Rae Womack) puts him into a spin with a troupe of adorably foul-mouthed little ballerinas." Richard T. Green, Talkin' Broadway

Head Over Heels (2020) - New Line Theatre (Choreographer, Ensemble)

"Could this be the greatest show New Line Theatre has ever put on stage? It is, in its brash, tight dance numbers, along with a dozen shimmering vocal solos. Highly professional dance and beautifully sung '80s pop music drive Head over Heels (on Broadway in 2018) like a fury... Scott Miller and Mike Dowdy-Windsor co-direct with genuine humor and sensitivity. But they're steamrollered by their own hard-charging chorus: a virtually flawless army of energetic singers and dancers, perfectly choreographed by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack. 'Virtually flawless' because the very first number seemed a little tentative on opening night, before everything turned to solid gold. Otherwise, this show doesn't stop for its dance numbers, it's bound together by them." Richard T. Green, Talkin' Broadway

"Special props to the mind boggling choreography by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack who also are part of the eight person chorus. Not only is the dancing complicated and dazzling, but is executed so well by this talented cast that it really makes you take special notice." Steve Allen, Stage Door St. Louis

"Representing the fairer sex of the Arcadian populace, Maggie Nold, Michelle Sauer, Sara Rae Womack and Alyssa Wolf launch the show with a gymnastic group cartwheel that even the old East German judge would give high marks for. After that, they perform a number of high energy dance routines, perform with hand puppets, and sing chorus parts cleanly so that every song is easily understood... I think this might be the best choreographed production New Line has done yet." Jeff Ritter, Critical Blast

Guys and Dolls - Stray Dog Theatre (Miss Adelaide)

"Ms. Womack is likewise filled with nuance, and a few unexpected strategies of song, building in original phrasing seemingly on-the-fly, and then instantly plotting a musical pathway back to the established melody for the next stanza. In lesser revivals a good Adelaide may have to save the whole thing again and again with big revue numbers backed-up by a scantily clad chorus (at the 'Hot Box' club). And Ms. Womack and her chorus are highly qualified to do this. But the whole cast is so strong, top to bottom, that she can focus on her own interpretations of character and song instead of worrying about 'carrying the show,' as they joke in the Forbidden Broadway parody." Richard T. Green, Talkin' Broadway

"With his square frame and hint of a mustache, O'Brien makes a very Oliver Hardy-like Nathan...his frequent confrontations with Adelaide typically end with him acquiescing to her. And why not? Sara Rae Womack gives her an iron spine (you can almost see it in some of her skimpier outfits), and with her hefty New York accent and naturally loud volume, she's bound to win most arguments. Whether she wins her long-delayed wedding is another story." Paul Friswold, Riverfront Times

"The couples are strong, especially, with Womack an especially credible Adelaide, bringing the audience along with her in her exasperation with Nathan, delivering a strong 'Adelaide’s Lament' and an even stronger reprise in Act 2. O’Brien is a likable Nathan, with good chemistry with Womack and also with his gambler compatriots, the equally excellent Wells and Frank." Michelle Kenyon, Snoops Theatre Thoughts

"Womack, employing a Betty Boop voice, delivers one of her strongest performances to date as the optimistic entertainer Miss Adelaide, who has been engaged to Nathan for 14 years. It’s complicated. Womack hits the sweet spot giving long-suffering Adelaide sass but a genuine sincerity too. She and the sunny O’Brien are terrific together, especially in 'Sue Me.' And she is a born showgirl leading the Hot Box Girls in 'A Bushel and a Peck' and 'Take Back Your Mink.'" Lynn Venhaus, STL Limelight

"Bell coaxes winning performances from his agreeable cast, which is led by the limber Kevin O’Brien as the plucky Detroit. He’s especially humorous in his give-and-take with Sara Rae Womack, who excels as the long-suffering Adelaide, a woman who has convinced her unseen mother that she is married to Nathan and that they have five kids, even if grandmum has never met any of them in a dozen years." Mark Bretz, Ladue News

"Despite a significant difference in height, Kevin O'Brien and Sara Rae Womack are perfectly matched as the quirky Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide. Womack gets the humor and delivery just right on 'Adelaide's Lament' and 'A Bushel and a Peck,' while O'Brien is tender and convincing, without losing any of the comedy, on 'Sue Me.' Womack and O'Brien tap in the realistic, if at times goofy, sincerity of the characters and there's an easy affection between the two that's underscored by Womack's side commentary and expressions." Tina Farmer, KDHX

“As always, Womack has the energy and the voice to fill the space and bring Adelaide to you…Womack is a terrific dancer too, leading the Hot Box Girls in Mike Hodges’s choreography, which was enjoyably inventive throughout the show.” Bob Wilcox, Two on the Aisle for HEC-TV

Be More Chill - New Line Theatre (Choreographer)

"The choreography here, and throughout the entire show, is so good – thanks to the delightful work by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack." Kevin Brackett, Review STL

"Because it is a small playing space with all those big voices and big actions, it is easy to imagine this exact performance on a much bigger stage. That said, everything fits nicely and feels smartly put together, and even Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack's full-sized choreographed numbers are well-navigated by the cast." Tanya Seale, Broadway World St. Louis

"Choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack gave both a playful bounce and a vitality to the group musical numbers." Lynn Venhaus, St Louis Limelight

"The choreography by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack is lively and energetic as well, reflecting the pop-rock based score well." Michelle Kenyon, Snoop's Theatre Thoughts

"The production benefits mightily from music direction by Nicolas Valdez and choreography by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack." Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post Dispatch

La Cage Aux Folles - New Line Theatre (Choreographer)

"Music director Nicolas Valdez and choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack are thoroughly in sync with the show’s madcap demands." Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post Dispatch

"Thanks to music director Nicolas Valdez, choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack, and the back-up singers (Les Cagelles) on stage, La Cage still sings and dances and shrieks like mad." Richard T. Green, Talkin' Broadway

Anything Goes - New Line Theatre (Choreographer, Virtue)

"The whole cast shines in this laugh-out-loud production, frequently punctuated by music (thanks to conductor Nicolas Valdez and a smart little band) and dance (thanks to choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack)." Judy Newmark, St. Louis Post Dispatch

"The cast looks great as the dance to the terrific choreography of Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack. Everything about the show is extraordinary, and I couldn’t wipe the silly grin off my face until long after the final number." Kevin Brackett, ReviewSTL.com

"Michelle Sauer, Sara Rae Womack, Larissa White, Alyssa Wolf, and Sarah Gene Dowling were particularly impressive in the dance numbers—tap dancing at a New Line show, can you believe it?—but the entire cast did a fine job with the choreography." Jeff Ritter, Critical Blast

"Speaking of Reno, Sarah Porter turns in another sterling performance as the all-brass bombshell, which should be no surprise (her dancing Angels are also top-notch, as is their choreography, by Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack)." Paul Friswold, Riverfront Times

"Michelle Sauer, Larissa White, Alyssa Wolf and Sara Rae Womack are the Fallen Angels -- those jazzy, platinum blonde floozies. Can they sing! And can they ever dance! The big "Anything Goes" production number that closes Act I is filled with splendidly precise tap dancing... In the early days I used to nag Scott Miller about not having enough dance in his shows. Well, not anymore! Choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack have filled this show with terrific, precise, exciting dance." Steve Callahan, KDHX

"Reno’s angels are a stunning foursome led by Larissa White, Michelle Sauer, Alyssa Wolf and Sara Rae Womack. Both Sauer and Womack also handle the sprightly choreography that captures the spirit of the 1962 version of Anything Goes that New Line has chosen to present." Steve Allen, Stage Door St. Louis

The Rocky Horror Show - Stray Dog Theatre (Columbia)

"Maria Bartolotta as Magenta and Sara Rae Womack, are delightful, too, both with fine voices." St Louis Eats and Drinks

"Magenta and Columbia (Sara Rae Womack) bring a much-appreciated wackiness to their roles (they're a scream in 'Touch-A Touch Me')." Paul Friswold, Riverfront Times

"Sara Rae Womack is excellent as Columbia, the human girl drawn into Frank's own web of sin." Richard Green, Talkin' Broadway

"A self-proclaimed 'sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania,' he's accompanied by Corey Fraine's sinister, sneering Riff-Raff, Maria Bartolotta's crazed, lustful Magenta, Sara Rae Womack's wide-eyed and star-struck Columbia, and an entourage of Phantoms... Bartolotta and Womack once again show great range and control, and Womack turns in a nice bit of tap as well." Tina Farmer, KDHX

"Both Maria Bartolotta as sassy Magenta and Sara Rae Womack as perky Columbia offer spirited renditions of the doctor’s sidekicks. Along with Riff Raff, they lead the frisky Phantoms with the peppy signature 'The Time Warp.'" Lynn Venhaus, Belleville News-Democrat

"Sara Rae Womack is a delightful Columbia." Stage Door St. Louis

Bat Boy: The Musical - Stray Dog Theatre (Ron/Mayor Maggie)

"It's common for roles to be gender-swapped in this show, and both Sara Rae Womack, as Ron Taylor, and Lindsey Jones, as Ned and Clem, transition with ease. Womack is impressive as the town's female mayor Maggie..." Lynn Venhaus, Belleville News-Democrat

STL Today's Review by Judith Newmark

HEC-TV's Two on the Aisle Video Review

"Sara Rae Womack brings the earnestness of a young Hillary Clinton to the mayor of the town." St Louis Eats and Drinks

Dogfight - Stray Dog Theatre (Marcy)

"Sara Rae Womack is devastating as Marcy, the gal who actually wins the contest, and then clues Rose in on all the sordid details." Chris Gibson, broadwayworld.com

"Sara Rae Womack finely portrays a street-savvy, younger hooker named Marcy." Mark Bretz, laduenews.com