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Family Dinner The
Full Monty 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. 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. 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. Roles are made memorable by ... Mary Ellen Ashley as Jeanette
Burmeister, vocal coach for the guys. -Mark Andrew Lawrence, The Mississagua News Fiddler On The Roof Also doing strong work (is) Mary Ellen Ashley as Yente,
the gossipy matchmaker 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. 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. 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
"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." 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 |
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