The Full Monty
Phoenix Theatre- February 2008
Ironically, the evening's best moment belongs not to any of the guys but to Mary Ellen Ashley, whose salty Jeanette Burmeister waltzes away with the show with a number about the rigors of showbiz.
-Robert L. Pela, Phoenix New Times
Mary Ellen Ashley is a joy as the retired piano player. In "Jeanette's Showbiz Number", she steals the show with her poignant insight on what it was like to play for big name entertainers.
-The Arizona Republic
Stage West, Mississauga, May-July 2007
And Mary Ellen Ashley, a showstopper if every there was one, is a comic delight as a feisty "old broad" who plays piano for these chipped Chippendales.
-Gary Smith, The Hamilton Spectator
Mary Ellen Ashley, as Jeanette, the pianist with links to Sinatra, Buddy Greco, and Stan Kenton, adds an old style of jazzy charm to matters.
-Keith Garebian, Stage and Page
Roles are made memorable by ... Mary Ellen Ashley as Jeanette Burmeister, vocal coach for the guys.
-Tina Depko, The Brampton Guardian
The icing on the cake here is Broadway veteran Mary Ellen Ashley as the show biz savvy Jeanette who helps the guys rehearse their routines. Ashley's performance is a non-stop joy.
-Mark Andrew Lawrence, The Mississagua News
Fiddler On The Roof
Syracuse Stage- December 2007
Mary Ellen Ashley makes for a fine Yente the matchmaker
-Chuck Klaus, The Post-Standard
Also doing strong work (is) Mary Ellen Ashley as Yente, the gossipy matchmaker
-House Lights, Syracuse.com
Throughout the play, the hilarious matchmaker Yente (an excellent Mary Ellen Ashley) hobbles around the stage waving her cane as she tries to find matches for the daughters.
-Jennifer Williams, The Daily Orange
Playing Yente is Mary Ellen Ashley. Her recent NY productions include Jeanette in FULL MONTY, 70 GIRLS 70 at City Center Encores, ECHOES OF THE WAR opposite Frances Sternhagen and Richard Easton, Fraulein Schneider in CABARET, and the Transport Group's Drama Desk-nominated play THE AUDIENCE. She created 3 roles in the noted Broadway play YENTL, starring Tovah Feldshuh, as well as the role of Damaris in the original POLLY.
-Syrcacuse Stage News
50 Million Frenchman
Alliance Francaise - Florence Gould Hall 9/18/2006
The most satisfying stretch of the evening finds Mary Ellen Ashley elegantly ripping up the joint with the Cole Porter song 'The Queen of Terre Haute'
-Matthew Murray of Talkin' Broadway
Evensong
The result is a wonderful, lyrical patchwork quilt of six people’s
lives who have reached their eighties plus without ever giving up on the
joy of living despite the obstacles thrown in their way. .... special
theatrical event – that should not be missed by any serious theatergoer
... Expert lighting by Thom Weaver. And an original score by Larry Spivack
enhances the quickly changing moods of Evensong. Mary Ellen
Ashley and a fabulous ensemble of actors. What a pleasure to see professionals
at work on a simple set in a simple black box theatre.
"Marie (an endearing Mary Ellen Ashley) is a first
generation immigrant and mother of 13 while milked 17 cows before breakfast
and boiled clothes by hand."
—Gwen Orel, Backstage
The Full Monty
Foothills Theatre, Boston Herald: "One Great comedic actress is Mary Ellen Ashley as Jeanette. In a show dominated by male empowerment, Mary Ellen Ashley is a revelation as the whiskey voiced piano playing Jeanette Burmeister"
Sweeney Todd"Mary Ellen Ashley, the red-headed and robustly comic, is at the center of this mayhem. She offers an intriguing interpretation of an engrossing character, using considerable acting and singing talents to provide thrilling results ... Ashley wisely resists the temptation to play the amoral and practical Mrs. Lovett over the top. Instead she offers the picture of a down-and out proprietor who happens upon an opportunity to make her pie business soar. Her choices are right on the money"
-The Salt Lake Tribune
The Audience
Transport Group at Connelly Theatre: "If there was an exit poll, the vote for the funniest performances and dialogue would go to the hilarious Mary Ellen Ashley as one of the four know it all Jews...."
Finkel's Follies
Westwood Playhouse in LA and West Side Arts Theatre in NY: "Mary Ellen Ashley is extremely capable in song, dance and drama-she adds greatly to Fyvush as his leading lady."
My Favorite Year
14th Street theatre: "Mary Ellen Ashley as Belle in My Favorite Year is an outstanding comedienne..."
Funny Girl
American Musical Theatre of San Jose: "Mary Ellen Ashley as Fanny's mother in Funny Girl as American theatre of San Jose is a delight. Here is a solid pro who is a pleasure to watch. .. Particularly fine is Mary Ellen Ashley as Fanny's sharp tongued mother; she shines in the routine "Who taught her Everything She Knows". She is wonderful as Fanny's mother - she hits all the right sardonic notes
Hello Dolly! @ Art Park
If ever there was a singer suited to the role of Dolly Levi, it is Mary Ellen Ashley. She took the audience by storm earning a standing ovation for her sparkling performance, her outstanding voice, and her zestful interpretation. Not only did she sing beautifully, but she brought such conviction to the part of Dolly.
Mary Ellen Ashley as Dolly sings her heart out and deserves the standing ovation she receives every night.
- Buffalo Standard
Hello Dolly!
Florida Burt Reynolds's Theatre: Dolly at Maine State: Ashley is a consummate actress and her charismatic persona is so captivating that she kept the old play moving with freshness not often seen. She breathes new life into Dolly
The Matchmaker
St. Louis Rep: Mary Ellen Ashley does triumphant work as Dolly Levi
Panama Hattie
Mary Ellen Ashley, in the title role is a dynamo on stage
- NY Times
Marathon '33
June Havoc Theatre in NYC: Mary Ellen Ashley is an indomitable dancer and excellent actress
-Michael Feingold: Village Voice
Sugar (with Bobby Morse)
Mary Ellen Ashley as Sweet Sue is notable to watch. Without watching, one would swear one was turned into a 1931 big band broadcast. She epitomizes the Style.
South Pacific
Ohio: Miss Ashley's comedic ability as Bloody Mary is dominant. Singing numbers and voice, particularly "Bali Hai" were excellent
Hello Dolly!
"Ashley is perfectly cast as Dolly, She has the character's vitality and a wonderful singing voice which enriches her numbers."
-Lake Worth Herald
"Ashley's warbling us just fine for the numbers and she is actually both touching and funny in her "So Long, Dearie" solo ... Here, it makes it, quite well, in fact, mostly because of Ashley's assuredness in the scene. When she enters, descending a red-carpeted staircase, attired in a glittering, silver-red gown and a matching peacock-like plume atop her head, it is quite clear -- this is exactly where this Dolly belongs ... She also shines in a later sequence, where she determinedly yet casually finishes her meal while her friends are waiting for her to bail them out of jail. Played in complete pantomime, Ashley takes her time easting a turkey leg and drinking a glass of wine. Turning the sequence into a small riotous bit."
-The Jupiter Courier
The Match Maker
"No delicate flower she, Ashley brings a robust, indomitable spirit to her matchmaker Dolly Levi. When she first sets her sights on Yonkers' leading half-a-millionaire ... you can rest assured it's all over but the wedding bells for the penny pinching Vandergelder"
-The Boca News
Gypsy
"When she belts out a chorus, we can close our eyes and believe that Merman's back on stage. In short, Ms. Ashley is the perfect choice for the role of Rose. The opening night audience shared that sentiment with us beyond any doubt and, when it came to the closing curtain, the sustained applause lasted several minutes as Rose took her bows"
-WATR, 1320
"Mary Ellen Ashley plays Rose with all the energy, vivacity and chutzpah the role demands...She belts out her numbers and just about brings the audience to its feet near the end of the show when she does "Rose's Turn". This number is a tour de force...On a lighted runway, she plays to an audience in her mind with all the stops pulled out. The real audience is dazzled by the power that drives this character. It's an exciting number, and Miss Ashley is up to all its demands .... Mary Ellen Ashley as Rose, the ambitious stage mother who devotes her life to furthering the theatrical career of daughter June (the Ethel Merman role in the original stage version), is absolutely fascinating. She carried the role well; she gave it the guts and rasp of Mamma Rose's abrasive aggressiveness, she is he closest thing to the real article we can imagine."
-Daily News