REVIEWS

THE GOOD DOCTOR

“…for theatrical punch, Laurie Eliscu Calahan’s variable direction fitfully lifts the page-bound to stage-worthiness.” -Alvin Klein, New York Times

“Make ‘Em Laugh… The use of slapstick humor in these pieces is excellent which can be attributed to worthy direction by Laurie Eliscu…”
–Susan Jennifer Polese, Westchester Weekly

“Director Laurie Eliscu … has elicited some clever performances from her talented actors and keeps the classic and contemporary aspects of “Doctor” in happy balance.”
- Chesley Plummons, News-Times

“Tickling the funny bone is the doc’s prescription at the Schoolhouse…The Good Doctor is warm and funny – a candid peek at the human comedy…directed by Laurie (Eliscu) …it’s proof that laughter is still the best medicine.”
–Kathy Grantham, North County Arts

SYLVIA

“The Schoolhouse production…romps across the stage with a buoyant playfulness that was surprisingly absent from last summer’s national tour…starring Stephanie Zimbalist…Director Laurie Eliscu’s…pacing is impeccable and she makes great use of both the small stage and the intimate theater…a most entertaining production…The Schoolhouse is truly a regional treasure.”
- Westchester County Weekly

“The abundant charisma that marks “Sylvia” materializes in Schoolhouse’s production…directed by Laurie Eliscu…For all the play’s enchantment, there are some well-earned moments of poignancy to counterweight the buoyancy…an unusually and succinctly played love story…with vast appeal.”
– E.Kyle Minor, Record Review

“…the current delightful, often hilarious CDG version of the play…As directed by Laurie Eliscu…the production proves to be a romp in the theater…worthy of a blue ribbon for a truly first-rate comedy…Contrary to popular belief, comedy isn’t easy. It takes real talent to make it work. SYLVIA proved to be a wonderful evening of comedy…all the necessary elements were there.” –Marie Poutre Theatre Inform

BEAU JEST

“The Schoolhouse cast, under the direction of Laurie Eliscu…, creates a personal connection to the story that keeps it honest and lets the humor fly naturally.” Ed Buroughs, Patent Trader

“Director Laurie Eliscu…gets a winning performance from her six-member cast…Beau Jest is a nice lighthearted summer relief, whether you read your Good Book from the right or the left, you will relate.”
–Kyle Minor, Record Review

FOOLS

“They’ve struck gold at The Schoolhouse Theater – Fools gold – with their delightfully daffy production of Neil Simon’s comic fable…Director Laurie Eliscu…does a masterful job…assembled a perfect cast…when it comes to comedy it doesn’t get much better than this. No foolin’” –Gary Haber, North County Arts

“Wisely…(the producer) asked Laurie Eliscu…to serve as director…She and her excellent cast demonstrate how to turn a somewhat flimsy little play into a laugh-filled evening of farce.” –Marie Poutre, Theatre Inform

CARNIVAL

“…Laurie (Eliscu) Calahan, one of Westchester’s finest directors, departs from such domestic fare as her 1997 productions of “Sylvia” and “Beau Jest” (…both superb) with seeming ease – she makes full use of the large ensemble (numbering 28 and including many youngsters) skillfully sending them, in the larger production-type numbers, into and around the audience…A good production…atmospheric, poignant and amusing.”
Stewart Hanges, The Rivertowns Enterprise

BEYOND THERAPY

“The Hudson River Repertory Company presents a wild and wacky comedy… The rest of us did (get our money’s worth)…last weekend when Beyond Therapy was presented…Under the direction of Laurie Eliscu…this bizarre comedy moves briskly along through nine (count ‘em 9) scenes. The talented leads remarkably capture all the neuroses…(and) the zaniness of their therapists…(which) feeds the chaos…Applause for the extraordinary programs (Rhinebeck PAC) is presenting this summer.”
–Bill Berensman, Weekend, Taconic Newspapers

BEDROOM FARCE

“Bedroom Farce…is easily one of Westport Community Theatre’s best productions to date! It is well acted, well directed, well produced, well…well, just about any aspect you’d like to name!!...this wonderful, lighthearted and thoroughly entertaining show…is not to be missed!!” –Michael Lehr, The Cue

“Bedroom Farce at WCT will tickle your funny bone…Four couples, three bedrooms and two hours of hilarious laughter…In the hands of a less talented cast this play may not have been brought to fruition. But, under the directing thumb of Laurie Eliscu…, this gaggle of eight is comic relief for any evening…I have only one other comment: Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha…Don’t miss this one!”
- Carole Claps, Westport News

RUNAWAYS

“They ran away with their audience’s heart…a musical/drama/comedy that touched on some very tender feelings in the course of exploring why kids – people – run away…Director Laurie Eliscu’s casting is to be commended..The company’s performance was remarkable…and showstoppers were many.” –T.M.Purvis The Journal News

“…an exuberant production…Director Laurie Eliscu…has infused the large cast (over 30 young performers) with a sense of energy that never lets up. This enthusiasm helps propel the show through two hours of nonstop emotional highs and lows. There is never a dull moment or even a chance to catch your breath…The entire cast is excellent…a memorable and stunning evening of theatre.” -Rockland Review

DIAL M FOR MURDER

“Killing your wife is not so easy. Neither is putting together an entertaining evening of theatre from a dated script…Thankfully director Laurie Eliscu had sufficient understanding of the text and genre to make this production work. Ms. Eliscu’s attention to detail was admirable…An enjoyable and entertaining evening of theater suitable for all ages.” –Elizabeth Peavey, Portland Press Herald

THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT

“…A fast and laugh provoking comedy featuring two very likable characters played most capably…Director Laurie Eliscu can be proud of what she has accomplished with these two star performers…she has led them through a nearly flawless production.”
Bob Rose, Post-Star

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

“…a new and delightful musical production…Laurie Eliscu…displayed versatility and ingenuity in writing the lyrics and dialogue…The collaboration of (director/writer. composer, choreographer) is as impressive as it was in the production of “Runaways” earlier this year…The actors…displayed such exceptional talent in both acting and singing…” –Marshall Hoagland, Rockland Review

THE FOREIGNER

“…directed by Laurie Eliscu, enhanced CDG’s reputation as a presenter of quality …theater… Director Eliscu used (the lead actor) well, letting him take the stage…and pulling the focus from him to the others when it was necessary… These actors worked with a unity of purpose…(and) were able to convey a sense of relationship as well as their individual roles.” – Marie Poutre, Theatre Inform

DRIVING MISS DAISY

“…a tender study of intertwined lives. The Heritage Playhouse…production never undermines the mood or spirit of Uhry’s character study. Director Laurie Eliscu…tackles the many different situations of Uhry’s script with honesty and believability, quietly documenting certain historical events without interrupting the action…Fine tuned performances and impeccable writing and direction, this unique production takes off and never lets up.” –James Ruocco, Weekender, Waterbury CT

The Heritage Playhouse production of this Pulitzer Prize-winning play is superb …all three players (are) superior…Laurie (Eliscu) who directed…deserves credit for providing us with such an enjoyable evening…I highly recommend that you see this play.”– F.S.Goodrich, Jr., Voices

“…A Heartwarming Miss Daisy… Thoroughly engaging the production is humorous and poignant, heart-warming and thought-provoking…Director Laurie Eliscu…and producer…have brought together all the elements of good theater…and the results are wonderful.” –Kaaren Valenta, The Weekly Star/Town Times/Newtown Bee

I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES

“Good Direction Brings Strength to “I Ought To Be In Pictures” …under the clever comedic direction of Laurie Eliscu…the actors were able to build honest characters that we can like…” –Marie Poutre, Theatre Inform

LEND ME A TENOR

“Chappaqua’s ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ Is Spring Tonic…Laughter roared through the Chappaqua Library Theatre…Director Laurie Eliscu…has done a commendable job of capturing.the plays energy.”(Named one of the top ten productions in Westchester 91-92) -Ed Buroughs, Patent Trader

“I LOVED IT!...There was nothing (save an errant earring)…out of place; not the props, not the zany costuming, not the timing, and certainly not any of the actors during the slick, fast-paced performance this reviewer attended!...The company assembled by Director Laurie Eliscu… nimbly executed their nonsense…One was reminded of NOISES OFF as doors slammed, poses were struck at exactly the same time, and no one ran into each other. Ms. (Eliscu) Calahan’s choreography, for that is what it has to be in a show that fast on a stage that small, was impeccable…and not obvious to the audience! The curtain calls were worth the price of admission.” –Marie Poutre, Theatre Inform

NEW ONE-ACTS at 18TH ST. PLAYHOUSE

“…there was a continuous glow as…Laurie Eliscu directed two one-act plays…that charmed the audience…Laurie Eliscu is a bastion of theatrical talent and a constant resource to be tapped right on the shore of the Hudson River.”
-Harriet Morrison, Womens News

FUDDY MEERS

“Seven actors I a very funny show…Imaginative portrayals of peculiar characters under the spirited direction of Laurie Eliscu…make it worth seeing.”
–Marcus Kallpolites, The Times Herald Record

SQUABBLES

“Squabbles is unarguably hilarious. Directed by Laurie Eliscu, this play doesn’t miss a comedic beat throughout the entire two-hour run.”
–Bobbie Curd, The Advocate Messenger

I HATE HAMLET

“Loving “I Hate Hamlet’…Laurie Eliscu…has directed this farce with style, keeping the action moving so sw iftly that sometimes the laughs come a few seconds after the punch-line…The theatre fulfills all its promises and delivers the laughs.”
–Elizabeth Gershman, Westport News

“’I Hate Hamlet’ Sparkles at WCT…thanks to a talented cast, handsome design elements, smooth direction and exciting sword play “I Hate Hamlet’ jump starts WCT’s season…Director (Eliscu) Calahan stages the comedy expertly in the three quarter configuration. There’s not a bad seat in the house. She succeeds in mining all the depth and subtext from the play while allowing the laughs to pile up…the fencing is exciting, humorous, well-executed and apparently dangerous. Just like the entire evening.”
-E.Kyle Minor, The Minuteman