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PRESS / REVIEWS

Reclaiming an abandoned life

Kathryn Keats visits with Superior Court judge Leo Dorado at the Alameda County courthouse in Oakland, Calif. As an assistant DA in 1984, Dorado helped put away Keats' schizophrenic boyfriend who had held her captive for up to a month and convinced her to go into hiding when the boyfriend was released. She has since come out of hiding after the boyfriend died two years ago.

PAUL CHINN/The Chronicle

READ MORE ABOUT THE CASE HERE



Kathryn Keats, Leo Dorado (Photo By Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty)

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"Kathryn Keats speaks from a place deep in her heart. A place of hope, encouragement and joy. Kathryn is a delight. She is definitely an inspiration... not only because of her story but the passion she conveys. And her music is incredible. How this woman could be silenced for as long as she was is a travesty. Thank God she has her voice again."

- Terry Ward, Founder CommSkills Group

"Playing on After the Silence was a real treat. Kathryn has a vibrancy and spark that fills a room with positive energy. She is a true survivor and a star!"

- Michael Manring, Bassist

"Kathryn Keats is a delight to watch. Kathryn speaks from a place deep in her heart. A place of hope, encouragement and joy. She is definitely an inspiration to hear... not only her story but the passion she conveys."

- Ellen Smoake, Co-founder Jeans For Justice

"Kathryn's powerful message of hope, survival and forgiveness was enthusiastically received by the audience here in New York City. Her loving and, at times, humorous perspective on her intense journey to freedom was a revelation to everyone present. Add to that her powerful singing voice and superb musicianship, and her captivation of the audience was complete. Kathryn's life and talent has become, literally, life-saving for many abused spouses and partners. Thank God for Kathryn Keats."

- Rev. Paul Tenaglia, Senior Minister Unity NY

"Being a part of Kathryn's recording was one of the best last-minute calls I have ever received as a musician. I am honored to have 'saved the day' (bless you Kat) and to have been a part of some truly passionate music making!"

- Dan West

"Kathryn Keats is the best artist to come along in years. Her writing is exquisite. Her vocals are as good as it gets. This record is Grammy Award-winning material. We finally have a new headliner!"

- George Hearst, Gehea Music

"What makes a legend most? While listening to Kathryn Keats' After The Silence, I think about Andy Warhol, Judy Garland, and Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu. I think about an artistic genius, one of the most beloved singers of all time, one of my favorite voices, and about a place where dreams come true. I can't wait for her next CD."

- Sheila Von Driska, Partners Ending Domestic Abuse

"Good gravy, Michael Manring is good. These two recordings are ample evidence that Manring is a masterful, sensitive musician. Manring reaches into the galactic ether with Sadhappya fusion-y ambient electronica trio with guitarist Mike Keneally and drummer/keyboardist Evan Schillersculpting amazing lines built from barky plucks, ringing harmonics, and mind-warping glissandos. Conversely, Manring the sideman plays it relatively straight on singer/songwriter Keats's solo debut. Never obtrusive, and sometimes barely perceptible on After the Silence, Manring's playing serves as basic, earthy support, with a few well-spaced, restrained displays of his innovative playing."

- Greg Olwell, Bass Player Magazine

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Production history

Development & Residency
• Developed at Berkeley Repertory Theatre – Ground Floor Lab, Berkeley, CA
• Commissioned Artist, The Marsh Theatre, San Francisco

Awards & Recognition
• Best Solo Musical, MarshStream International Festival
• Best Solo Show, 48 Hills
• BroadwayWorld Nomination, Best Solo Performance for The Hummingbird

Press Coverage
• San Francisco Chronicle — Feature review of The Hummingbird
• Marin Independent Journal — Performance coverage
• Beyond Chron — Feature coverage
• Marin Magazine — Feature coverage
• Playbill — Berkeley Rep Ground Floor Lab article (mentions Kathryn Keats)
• DomesticShelters.org — True Survivor Stories: Kathryn Keats Puts Her
Survivor Story on Stage
• Canvas Rebel — Meet Kathryn Keats
• Bold Journey — Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kathryn Keats
• Let’s Reimagine — Out of Illness Comes Art

Academic Citation
• Referenced in: Rachael R. Angoh, Reclaiming Voices: Songwriting as a
Therapeutic Tool for Female Survivors of Sexual Violence — A Literature
Review, Lesley University, 2024.

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