Molly Cassidy, Drama in the Hood, on Patience:
"One of the standout supporting characters is Dawn Padula as Lady Jane, the 'aging' contralto and staple of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Padula has a rich and delicious chest voice and navigates through her registers with ease. In addition, her comedic timing is perfection and her Act II aria 'Silvered is the raven hair' is a tour de force."
Michael van Baker, The SunBreak, on Patience:
"Seattle G & S has found it hard some years to find the right alto to undertake what is usually an important role in all G & S comic operas, but here they have a jewel, and let's hope she continues to perform with the company. She is Dawn Padula as Lady Jane."
Alec Clayton, Weekly Volcano, on Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits:
"Padula does an equally impressive impersonation of Barbra Streisand. The way she brushes her hair away from her face is worth the price of a ticket."
Dan Doman, The SubTimes, on Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits:
“Barbra Streisand was targeted by Dawn Padula. You need pipes to make fun of Barbra and Dawn did an excellent job of it."
Dave Davidson, Tacoma Weekly, on Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits:
“Dawn
Padula’s spoof of Barbara Streisand’s breathy manner of reworking show tunes
(as well as Streisand’s smoothing and fussing with her hair) is a comedic gold
mine. In ensemble numbers, Padula has a silky-smooth delivery.”
Kim Hastings, Drama in the Hood, on Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits:
“Not to be outdone in the vocal department is Dawn Padula. When she isn’t bringing the audience at Lakewood Playhouse to their feet as Barbra Streisand, she’s thrice degreed from universities and colleges around the country. She can wail and is put to good use in this show.”
David Edward Hughes, Talkin Broadway, on Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits:
"Dawn Padula's Back to Broadway-esque Barbra Streisand is a cross-eyed and full-voiced wonder."
Art Gottschalk, Society of Composer's , Inc. Newsletter, on the Region VIII Conference:
“After a brief intermission, a pleasant surprise awaited those of us less acquainted with the performing faculty of the host institution, in the person of mezzo-soprano Dawn Padula, who was featured throughout the conference and brought her trademark competence and beautiful musicality to everything she sang."
Diane Windeler, San Antonio Express-News, on Dawn's solos with the Alamo City Men’s Chorale:
"Guest artist was velvety-voiced mezzo-soprano Dawn Padula. The centerpiece of the concert, following Padula’s solo set of Brahms, Strauss and Schubert lieder, was Brahms’ magnificent ‘Alto Rhapsody.’ Padula brought heartfelt clarity to its soaring lines. Her reading was emotional and effective. Padula revealed a delightful flair for cabaret style – and a gift for acting – in novelty songs by William Bolcom and Mary Rodgers. A lush arrangement of ‘Ye Banks and Braes’ for choir and the mezzo’s floating obbligato brought the concert to a close.”
D. L. Groover, Houston Press, on Le Nozze di Figaro:
“Dawn Padula, in the trouser role of Cherubino, the page who lusts after the Countess, suavely maneuvers through his/her arias.”
Allan Kozinn, The New York Times, on Le Comte Ory:
“Dawn Padula and Matthew Burns made strong contributions in the smaller roles of Ragonde and Le Gouverneur.”
D. L. Groover, Houston Press, Mercedes in Carmen:
“The supporting cast is exceptional, especially bandit leader Brian Shircliffe and Carmen’s two confreres, Eileen Schlesinger-Benvegnu and Dawn Padula.”
Chip Chandler, Amarillo Globe-News, Maddalena in Rigoletto:
“Amarillo Opera brought grand opera, back on Friday in a magnificent way with its stirring production of ‘Rigoletto.’ Other highlights included the especially intense Matthew Trevino as Sparafucile, the huge-voiced Dawn Padula as Maddalena and the charming John Sauvey as Marullo.”
Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle, Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri:
“Isabella is a thoroughly modern woman, whom mezzo-soprano Dawn M. Padula depicted with nice aplomb and increasingly secure vocal presence at Monday’s final performance in the UH opera house. As the action shifts into high mayhem, Isabella gets an increasingly demanding part that stretches to the extremes of range and, in between, sends the voice ricocheting up and down the scales.”
Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle, Erika in Vanessa:
“Mezzo-soprano Dawn M. Padula was the niece, who suddenly becomes a rival when Anatol arrives. Padula painted an earnest, anguished Erika who simply can’t fathom what Anatol’s love really is about.”
Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle, Bellino in Casanova’s Homecoming:
“Leading the secondary roles were Brian Shircliffe (Lorenzo, a priest and friend of Casanova), Dawn M. Padula (Bellino) and Jason R. Ogan (the Marquis de L’Isle). Each performed with fine vocal tone and the broad dramatic gestures needed for the opera’s outlandish comedy.”
Charles Parsons, American Record Guide, Bellino in Newport Classics Recording of Casanova’s Homecoming:
“The performance is an excellent one. Padula makes some dark, lovely sounds as the castrato Bellino.”
Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle, The Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas:
“Mezzo-soprano Dawn Padula snarled and vamped as the Sorceress.”