ELYSE
EDELMAN
Selected Press & Media
Narrator in EVERY BRILLIANT THING
Directed by Molly Rhode
Milwaukee Chamber Theater, Milwaukee WI
Photo by Ross Zentner
"Edelman’s performance is so natural and exuberant that it’s easy to overlook how well she holds the stage—and audience—throughout the 75-minute (no intermission) production. She is funny, serious, spontaneous and moves effortlessly throughout the entire space as if it’s her living room."
Harry Cherkinian
Shepherd Express
Rachel in THE HOW AND THE WHY
Directed by Suzan Fete
Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee WI
Photo by Maureen Janson Heintz
"I had the pleasure of seeing Elyse Edelman—a captivating storyteller who nurtures an authentic connection with the audience. Edelman has made a point to treat participants with a kind, gentle, and patient approach. She’s sincerely remarkable."
Kelsey Lawler
Broadway World
Lana Sherwood in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
Directed by Jacob Janssen
Third Avenue Playworks, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Photo by Cody LeSage
"Edelman is particularly good at playing overlooked and undervalued women, conveying her characters’ intrinsic worth to us even as those characters remain oblivious to it themselves. Her ability to channel these characters’ ensuing awakening to the barely believed prospect that they might indeed be special is alternately funny and poignant. She’s the best reason to see this show."
Mike Fischer
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Berthe in BOEING BOEING
Directed by Jacob Janssen
Third Avenue Playworks, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Photo by Cody LeSage
"Nowhere is the switch of roles more impressive than in Elyse Edelman, playing both the aggressive French Prince who agitates the young king of England and the fiercely righteous French Princess who weds him when the fog of war has cleared."
Russ Bickerstaff
Shepherd Express
Halina in INDECENT
Directed by Brent Hazelton
Milwaukee Chamber Theater, Milwaukee, WI
Photo by Michael Brosilow
Elyse Edelman as Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT
Directed by Joseph Hanreddy
Door Shakespeare, Door County WI
Photo by Len Villano
"[…] when Viola appears before the Countess disguised as a man, Olivia is undone by Viola’s impassioned plea on Orsino’s behalf. As presented by Edelman and Staples, this scene is as haltingly tender and moving as I’ve seen it. Turned upside down by the tempest coursing within her, Edelman’s Viola departs from her prepared speech, spontaneously reaching instead for glorious poetry she didn’t even know she had. It makes this Viola, usually presented as so suave and sure, much more vulnerable. It makes her more like the rest of us."
Mike Fischer
Milwaukee Journel Sentinel
Esther in THE WANDERERS
Directed by Mikael Burke
Forward Theater Company, Madison, WI
Photo by Ross Zentner
"My favorite story of the 46 was Grace Coolidge and her unlikely pet — a timid, confused raccoon, played by Elyse Edelman. It was hands-down the funniest sketch of the evening, thanks to her portrayal of the poor animal, complete with wide eyes, worried voice, and incredibly expressive face. Hopefully Edelman’s resume now includes the special skill, “can impersonate wildlife."
Gwendolyn Rice
Isthmus
"As the only adult in the cast, Elyse Edelman does a great job anchoring the show. Both her mom character and her turn as Fang the dog are understated, allowing Nate and his investigation to shine. Her easy soprano and natural spark lift up the group numbers, whether she's performing as a pooch or a pancake. (Yep, you read that right.)"
GWEN RICE
onmilwaukee.com
Fang in NATE THE GREAT
Directed by Niffer Clarke
First Stage, Milwaukee WI
Photo by Paul Ruffolo
"Edelman has a breathtakingly expressive face. We see every kind of emotion wash over her face in quick flashes…"
RUSS BICKERSTAFF
Shepherd Express
"The performance by Elyse Edelman, who plays Luciana, is absolutely priceless. While her sister whirls and twirls, she is the picture of bewilderment, embarrassment, curiosity and quiet lust. Without a single word, Edelman draws laughs just with her face and body."
Dave Begel
On Milwaukee
Angie in TOP GIRLS
Directed by Suzan Fete
Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee WI
Photo by Ross Zentner
"Edelman registers it all as poignantly as she did four years ago, in a beautiful breakout performance from which she’s never looked back and which I’ll never forget. Bending and stretching the marching iambs in this most end-stopped of the Bard’s plays, Edelman reads between the lines to channel that insecure part of each of us which can’t imagine we’re worthy of such great love – even as we tremulously give ourselves over to its wonder and hope like hell it’s the real deal."
