As Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey --
"But the real glue that holds this zany comedy together is the subtle, affectionate, and truly brilliant performance of Jim Van Valen as Elwood. His gentle, low-key characterization is a quiet masterpiece... we see an Elwood who is truly an innocent." David Dow Bentley III, "Barter's 'Harvey' Is A Gentle Spirit For Modern Times" The Washington County News

"In the role of Elwood P. Dowd, Jim Van Valen is perfectly sweet and meek, just a man in control of his day, whatever is set before him, and always with decorum. Jim is a delight to watch. His facial expressions ring true without being comedic or overdone." Lynn R. McKinney, "Barter's 'Harvey' Charming" The Bristol Herald Courier

As Michael in Rounding Third --
"Together they [Jim Van Valen and Greg Longenhagen] have delicious comic timing and VanValen is terrific with a bargain-with-God monologue over a fly ball heading his son's way." Hap Erstein, "'Rounding Third' scores as crisp comedy" The Palm Beach Post

"It's the kind of show that makes you groan when VanValen and Longenhagen take their bows because you don't want it to be over." Valerie Nienberg, "Riverside's 'Rounding Third' Covers All Bases" The Press Journal

As Nicodemus, Lady Enid, Alcazar, & Pev Amri in The Mystery of Irma Vep --
"Virtually non-stop laughs thread through 'Irma Vep'.... In every single role, this consummate performer (Jim VanValen) proves terrifically inventive, showcasing a rare and precious talent." Ruby Nancy, "No Mystery about 'Irma Vep' : It's Hilarious" The Quad-City Times

"Sean Paul Bryan and Jim VanValen, each playing four nuanced roles, bring the house down." Ray Mattson, "Happily Over The Top" The Daily Iowan

As Mitch in Tuesdays With Morrie --
"VanValen, as Mitch, nails the character. He speaks as a sports commentator might, going from highly animated to genuine expression -- which is jarring at first, but comforting later, as he slows down and starts to reconnect with himself." Aileen Humphreys, "Fulton Soars with 'Morrie'" Intelligencer Journal

"Morrie Schwartz (played by the inestimable Frank Lowe) and Mitch Albom (played with sincerity and heart by Jim Van Valen), projected such a relaxed, funny and very real ease with the play and with each other." Marty Crisp, "Fulton's 'Tuesdays With Morrie' Enriches as Well as Entertains" The Sunday News

As Charlie in The Foreigner --
"Jim Van Valen does a masterful job as Charlie... Everything from his energetic physical humor, to his nuanced facial expressions, to his well-paced timing and delivery of lines is right on." Beth Francis, " Florida Rep's 'Foreigner' At Times Uproariously Funny" The Naples Daily News

"The cast is as good as it gets, but it's VanValen who steals the show." Di Saggau, "'The Foreigner', A Rip-Roaring Farce" The River Weekly News

As Max in Lend Me A Tenor --
"VanValen pulls off a triple feat as Max - the bumbling physical acting, pitch-perfect comic timing and at the end, a little singing that's quite good." Jeffrey Bruner, "'Tenor' has impressive cast, is enjoyably silly" The Des Moines Register

"But it is VanValen who directly channels various vaudevillian and cinematic predecessors. As Max, he oscillates between Lou Costello, Curly Howard and Jerry Lewis. When dressed as Othello -- complete with black face and wig -- he is a combination of the latin lover and the immigrant hustler...VanValen finds a way to show Max as earnest, manipulative and, most importantly, funny." Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Theatrical farces rule Summer Rep" The Press-Citizen

As William & Benjamin Franklin in Lightning Rod --
"Jim Van Valen triumphs in the difficult task of playing both William when he was a Royal Governor of New Jersey and Ben when he was just a prosperous Philadelphia printer."Marty Crisp, "'Lightning' Strikes at The Fulton" The Sunday News

"Actor Jim Van Valen is excellent playing the dual role of a young Ben Franklin and William." Susan E. Lindt, "'Lightning Rod' Illuminates Ben Franklin" The Intelligencer Journal

As Emil in Three Viewings --
"Funny, quick and compelling, VanValen squeezes every drop out of his role. Not one line slips by without his adroit take on it." Pam Harbaugh, "Riverside 2's 'Three Viewings' a Perfect, Powerful Play" Florida Today

"Whether he is sitting sheepishly in a chair, his knees pressed tightly together, hands clasped, a nervous gaze in his eye, or ping-ponging across the stage in his giddiness, VanValen delivers an extremely physical performance that is as disturbing as it is moving." Brian Bixler, "'Three Viewings' Offers Triple Delights" The Press Journal

As Tom, Phyllis, and Leslie in Sylvia --
"'Sylvia' is punctuated with hilarious performances by Jim Van Valen, who plays three very different roles that all steal the show... . Van Valen is masterful whether he's wearing a ball cap or a woman's wig and high heels, and his interludes give even more levity to an already funny show." Valerie Nienberg, "'Sylvia' at the Riverside" The Press Journal