“Emotionally riveting, Power on Earth is a one-man show featuring an actor gifted not only with exceptional range and depth, but with clear-eyed passion and intelligence as well. Van leer writes, directs, and performs this masterful, rousing one-man tribute...nothing can prepare one for the power and emotionality that Van Leer delivers..”

Hoyt Hilsman
Daily Variety, Los Angeles, CA

"His voice was versatile, making me think he was the Rich Little of R&B and Rock; his talent on the piano was riveting and the speed at which he changed voices, characters, and costumes was nothing short of amazing."

Donna F. Slaton
Pennyrile Plus, Madisonville, KY

“Deadline Feature Film is clear where it stands, but it wisely leaves any preaching to one of its most intriguing characters, Rev. Young (Darryl Van Leer). The scene where Young asks for justice during a sermon is quite powerful, thanks to the writing and Van Leer’s performance of it...Van Leer’s character provide the Deadline’s conscience and its triumph-over-adversity heart.”

Evans Donnell
Art Now Nashville, Nashville, TN

“To be young, black, and destined to legend hood are the premises of this one man show, yet Van Leer adds the element of being gifted . . . The synergy recreated by Van Leer’s unerring persona does entertain with loyalty in this potent and poignant odyssey.”

Frank Richards
Drama-Logue, Los Angeles, CA

“His powerful performance, use of physical space and intense, emotional outbursts at moments left the audience in a stunned silence...Van Leer is one of the more versatile performers in America, bringing history’s towering figures to life on stage, to teach and entertain people.”

Sang-Hee Oh
Pasadena Now, Pasadena, CA

“His performance was very dramatic; at times the only sound to be heard was that of his powerful voice piercing the collective silence.”

Gregory Hicks
Michigan Press

“And as he began to invoke the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his “Drum Major” speech, this reporter began to understand why “Power on Earth” has been getting rave reviews around the country. ...For his dedication, Van Leer has been nominated for five national awards, including honors from the NAACP.  Obviously a labor of love, Van Leer puts all of himself into his art."

Marsha Mitchell
Entertainment Editor Los Angeles Sentinel

“We have had Mr. Van Leer here at Cargill a total of 3 times and each of his performances received a standing ovation. His recent requested performance “Great Innovators” featuring the characterization of George Washington Carver was amazing! Mr. Van Leer is a phenomenal actor!”

Tracy Gibson
Sr. Director Global Diversity & Inclusion Cargill, Minneapolis, MN

“WOW. I am still having heart palpitations from Van Leer’s MLK performance. This experience topped my name being placed on the Southern Poverty Law Centers Wall of Tolerance and receiving a wall membership certification document signed by Ms. Rosa Parks.”

Bradley B. Branham
Sr. Manager Hewlett Packard, Vancouver, WA

“I was fortunate enough to hear Dr. King on several occasions, listening to Van Leer brought back moving memories of Dr. King’s greatest speeches.”

David Satcher, MD., PhD.
16th Surgeon General of the United States

“Darryl Van Leer is an Acting Phenomenon... Mr. Van Leer mesmerized the audience with superb acting skills, super-natural musical talent, and with angelic and graceful singing that duplicated the sound and voices of the entertainer he was portraying...Darryl was a great blessing to the soldiers, families and civilians at Fort Campbell Kentucky, home of the famous 101st Air Borne Division (Air Assault)...Mr. Van Leer’s musical drama is guaranteed to enrich your appreciation for music, the arts and drama. Believe me, he is just that good!”

(Col.) Alvin E. Miller
101st Air Borne Division, U.S. Army Fort Campbell, Kentucky

“Van Leer poignantly captures the persona of Malcolm X...at times you might think you’re watching a kinescope of Malcolm X from 1960’s news footage. He’s that good. “

Robert French
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

“What a great program!  Darryl was incredible and a huge hit. The audience of 150 sat there mesmerized for over an hour at his performance.  Darryl’s reenactment was so good, I don’t think there was anyone there who didn’t think that they were really listening to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Besides receiving a rare standing ovation, many students left the room teary eyed or crying.  ...Had I known he was going to be that good, I would have paid twice as much to have him speak.”

Bill Heffner
Chair Issues & Speakers Committee Idaho State Univ, Pocatello, ID

"Darryl’s presentation had all the essential ingredients needed for a riveting performance: realism, creativity, authenticity, and relevance. Watching Rated Malcolm X is like entering a time machine set to 1963. Being in Alabama, only George Wallace and fire hoses could have made the show any more true to life.”

Kara Hetrick
University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL

“…Van Leer’s performance was a gem.  He is a gifted actor, with an enormous amount of energy and an equal amount of good will.  His show was outstanding... In fact, several members of that audience encouraged me to bring Van Leer back to Ole Miss for another performance sometime in the future.  That is a high compliment. ...Darryl was most gracious the whole time he was here, meeting with students and doing everything he could to make my job as easy as possible.  For that I am deeply grateful.”

Ronald A. Schroeder
Chair, University Lecture Series University of Mississippi 

“We have had him on campus twice now and, both times, his presentations drew hundreds from the campus as well as the community.  He was wonderful to work with and fully gave of himself to provide a real treat to our campus.  His rapport with the audience was evident as everyone listened intently to his recreation of The Reverend King’s most memorable speeches.  He is a dynamic presenter and highly accurate in his presentation. ...It definitely was the type of high caliber presentation we try to offer on our campus.”

Timothy S. Kamenar
Convocations Advisor Weber State University, Ogden, Utah