Katisha - Mikado - Utah Festival Opera
Vanessa Schukis demonstrated the widest range in the repertory casting. Her mother-of-the-year image as the understanding Mama Lucia in the previous night's "Cavalleria Rusticana" transformed into the nightmare date-of-the-century as Katisha in this show. Adorned with bright red six-inch fingernails, wild make-up and a head-piece that could appear in a Las Vegas show, she struck fear in the hearts of Nanki-Poo, her original intended, and Ko-Ko, the unfortunate she eventually married. --Salt Lake Tribune, Utah (July 2009)

Julia Child - Bon Appetit - Opera Providence
In Bon Appetit, Schukis, who was made up to look like a young, matronly Child, sets out to prepare a French chocolate cake, buttering pans, melting chocolate and whipping up egg whites — much of which ends up on the floor.

“Chocolate,” sings Schukis, while tossing together ingredients, “is much more complicated than any of us suspects.”

Schukis is a hoot, often capturing Child’s enthusiastic cluck. The show is funny, entertaining and to the point.
--Providence Journal, Rhode Island (October 2007)

Mazeppa - Gypsy - Stoneham Theater
Especially the classically outrageous "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," with a hilarious turn by Vanessa Schukis as the trumpet-toting stripper Mazeppa - and she herds the flocks of child performers with aplomb. --Boston Globe (September 2007)

Parthy - Show Boat and Marie - The Most Happy Fella - Utah Festival Opera
Schukis, who has created a strong Parthy in "Show Boat", is very good as the emotionally charged Marie. --The Herald Journal, Utah (July 2007)

Parthy - Show Boat - Utah Festival Opera
Vanessa Schukis, as his wife Parthy, was an equal partner in the bedlam they cause when together onstage. --The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah (July 2007)

Rosine - Signor Deluso - Intermezzo Chamber Opera Company
And Mezzo Vanessa Schukis was a delight as Rosine, the maid (here transposed into a waitress), comically rationing her stentorian tones and tempering the character's streetwise edge with a fondness for human foibles...
Schukis practically made a dish of pastries into another character.
--Boston Globe Newspaper (May 15, 2007)

Marcellina-Le nozze di Figaro-Utah Festival Opera
Two characters join the plot in the second act -- the fiery-haired Marcellina and her attorney Bartolo -- that lift the somewhat pedestrian comedic moments to a higher level. Marcellina, played by Vanessa Schukis and David Barron as Bartolo, save the second act. Schukis rivals Thomson in power and pleasure, seeming to enjoy her role as meddler, determined to make Figaro either marry her or pay her to go away.
--The Statesman, Utah (August 4, 2006)

Mrs. Paroo-The Music Man-Utah Festival Opera
Schukis’ Mrs. Paroo is a wonderful foil for her more serious daughter and she and Norman play well off of each other.
--The Herald Journal, Utah (July 21, 2006)

Dolly Tate-Annie Get Your Gun-Utah Festival Opera
... but Vanessa Schukis makes a Dolly Tate you just love to hate. ...
--Deseret News, Utah (August 3, 2005)

Fruma-Sarah - Fiddler on the Roof- Utah Festival Opera
Vanessa J. Schukis nearly steals the show from Theisen (Tevye), as she does in Utah Festival Opera’s “Wizard of OZ”, also part of the festival. She gives Fruma-Sarah the dead wife of Lazar Wolf who comes back in Tevye’s dream, the same delightful wrathfulness she gives the Wicked Witch of the West, but in a different way.
--The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah (July 17, 2003)

Wicked Witch of the West - Wizard of OZ- Utah Festival Opera
For those looking for something lighter, The Wizard of OZ is a great pick, Again this production boasts an outstanding cast with some particular delicious characters, such as Vanessa Schukis’ wonderfully grumpy Wicked Witch of the West.
--Deseret Morning News, Utah (July 15, 2003)

Wicked Witch of the West - Wizard of Oz - Utah Festival Opera
……Vanessa J. Schukis’ Wicked Witch of the West(although more slapstick than horror) was a real treat. And it was obvious by the audience’s reaction whenever the two were on stage that they were the two favorites.
--The Statesman, Utah (July 2, 2003)

Wicked Witch of the West - Wizard of Oz - Utah Festival Opera
Highlights of the casting include Vanessa Schukis, whose powerful voice as the Wicked Witch cuts right to the bone.
--The Herald Journal, Utah ( July 18, 2003)

Wicked Witch of the West - Wizard of Oz - Utah Festival Opera
As Miss Gulch (and later the Wicked Witch of the West), Vanessa J. Schukis glides by on her bicycle, fixing the audience with a delightfully piercing stare. Her singing too was a highlight.
--Salt Lake Tribune, Utah (July 13, 2003)

Mrs. McLean - Susannah- Utah Festival Opera
Vanessa J. Schukis fills the house with her dramatic soprano voice and intensely wicked portrayal of Mrs. McLean.
--Salt Lake Tribune, Utah (July 18, 2001)

Suicidio - Gioconda- AIMS 2000 Graz, Austria
Gewaltige Kraft demonstriert Vanessa Schukis in der Arie “Suicidio” der “Gioconda”.
--Kleine Zeitung, Graz, Austria (August 2, 2000)