"No less bent on victory is last year's champ, Chip Tolentino (Jose Llana), cocky in his crisply pressed scout uniform. [He] inhabits [his] role with a mixture of sincerity and sly humor that allows him to exuberantly indulge Chip's hopeless nerdiness without turning him into a flagrant caricature. He succumbs to neither grating cuteness nor sentimental condescension, a tribute both to his own skills and to the guiding hand of Mr. James Lapine (Director)."
— The New York Times, Charles Isherwood
Jose Llana: Manila Solo Album:
"Jose Llana's self-titled album reads like your typical Filipino balladeer's repertoire.
Two minutes into the album's first track, however, we found ourselves paying attention to one of the finest voices we've recently heard. Jose Llana, it turns out, isn't just another typical Filipino balladeer -- he's a Filipino-American Broadway star whose theatrical training is, no doubt, the reason for his singing's distinctive feel."
— Philippine Inquirer News
Flower Drum Song:
"The handsome Jose Llana sings beautifully."
— The New York Daily News
"In the Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song last fall, Jose Llana stood out as the star who gave a performance perfectly balanced between glorious singing and sensitive acting."
— The Dallas Morning News
Candide:
"Jose Llana as Candide sings his role elegantly and with a buoyant boyish charm that is quite irresistible."
— The Philadelphia Aisle
Saturn Returns:
"Another high point of the cycle is the ravishingly beautiful ''Hero and Leander,'' also sung by Mr. Llana, a polished theatrical crooner who seems to be the composer's (Adam Guettel) vocal alter ego."
— The New York Times, Stephen Holden
On the Town:
"Mr. Llana turns Gabey into a star-making role. He can sing, he can dance, and he has an easy, masculine affability. Gene Kelly played the role in the movie; like Kelly, Mr. Llana projects a sunny, shadeless American temperament; like Kelly, he is talented."
— The Wall Street Journal
The King and I:
"The musical's secondary characters are compelling too, especially those star-crossed lovers Tuptim (Ms. Choi) and Lun Tha (Jose Llana). There wasn't a dry eye in the house."
"Jose Llana's self-titled album reads like your typical Filipino balladeer's repertoire.
Two minutes into the album's first track, however, we found ourselves paying attention to one of the finest voices we've recently heard. Jose Llana, it turns out, isn't just another typical Filipino balladeer -- he's a Filipino-American Broadway star whose theatrical training is, no doubt, the reason for his singing's distinctive feel."
"The handsome Jose Llana sings beautifully."
"Jose Llana as Candide sings his role elegantly and with a buoyant boyish charm that is quite irresistible."
"Another high point of the cycle is the ravishingly beautiful ''Hero and Leander,'' also sung by Mr. Llana, a polished theatrical crooner who seems to be the composer's (Adam Guettel) vocal alter ego."
"Mr. Llana turns Gabey into a star-making role. He can sing, he can dance, and he has an easy, masculine affability. Gene Kelly played the role in the movie; like Kelly, Mr. Llana projects a sunny, shadeless American temperament; like Kelly, he is talented."
"The musical's secondary characters are compelling too, especially those star-crossed lovers Tuptim (Ms. Choi) and Lun Tha (Jose Llana). There wasn't a dry eye in the house."