The critics have spoken!

"If you have hung out at the piano bar area of The Duplex for any length of time, you may already be familiar with Maria Gentile as she works there as a performing server. Cabaret viewers who attended The Duplex's acclaimed New Mondays series may have been fortunate enough to have seen Gentile and her writing partner, Caren Cole, present some of their original compositions, one of which ("Kindness Makes Me Cry") won this year's MAC Award for "Song of the Year." Gentile's album, That ... Which is Real, is a collection of eleven original compositions sung by Gentile, who possesses a roughened rock/folk voice that pierces right to the heart. Her lyrics are sharp and honest, especially on her 9/11 tribute, "Amputated Skyline," which is one of the most effective numbers tackling the topic that I have heard, due in no small part to its evocative simplicity. Other highlights include "I'd Rather Never Know," a touching number on a dying relationship, and "If I Was a Boy," a heartrending number seeking a distant father's love."

-Jonathan Frank, Talkin' Broadway.com

"A treasure trove of original songs!"

-Stu Hamstra, Cabarethotlineonline.com

"The voice of an angel and the work ethic of Italian immigrant parents"

-John Petrick, The Bergen Record