reviews
…I
could probably write 1,000 words about each play just by listing the
performers and describing what I enjoyed about their work.
Only, if I did that for "Tenor: The Musical," then I might have
to devote an extra 1,000 words to Steven Stein-Grainger as the
much-looked-for Morelli, who (unlike, say, Godot) rather quickly shows up.
Stein-Grainger's native-seeming Italian accent is practically a
performance all by itself. And his warmth and genuine charm are as
seductive to the audience as they are to young Max, charged by a wary
Saunders with handholding the VIP vocalist from his five-star penthouse
all the way into the glare of the footlights.
Daily Herald
When the famous tenor Tito
Merelli (the invincible Steven Stein-Grainger) gives advice to the nerdy
Max Garber … about how to perform, he croons, "You got to [hear] a
song before you sing it/You got to feel a song before you spring it."
(sic)
Las Vegas Review Journal
“The
songs that Andrew Lloyd Webber specializes in sound especially good when
sung by someone such as Steven Stein-Grainger…a trained operatic singer
with an exceptional head voice.”
- John
Simon;
New York Magazine
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In
“The Phantom of the Opera”:
“…Steven
Stein-Grainger as the fatuous tenor Ubaldo Piangi…(who has) substantial
operatic experience, demonstratingonce again that you have to understand
something well to parody it effectively."
-
Chuck Lavazzi;
Musical Stages Online
“…fresh
from the role of Max in Broadway's Sunset Boulevard, portrays the
pompous Ubaldo Piangi with melodious singing and hilarious by-play.”
- Columbusalive.com
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In
Sunset Blvd.
In
the Broadway production of “Sunset Blvd.”:
“…as
the chauffeur Max…he sings splendidly…”
- Clive
Barnes;
New York
Post
“Steven
Stein-Grainger’s Broadway debut as Max (von Mayerling), Norma (Desmond)’s
director/husband/butler…was fine…suggesting Norma’s and Max’s
previous intimacy with considerable finesse.”
- Liz
Smith; Newsday
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In
Two River Theater Company’s “The Umbrellas Of
Cherbourg”:
“Steven
Stein-Grainger makes a strong and wonderfully empathetic impression as
Aubin, Dubourg and in two other roles.”
- Michael Portantiere; Theatermania.com
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Opera:
“…Stein-Grainger
(as Rinnuccio) was fluid and charming, a good tenor with a superb sense of
comic timing.”
-The
Reader; Chicago
“…”his
acting was marvelous…In fact, some of his reactions are more enjoyable
than the words being sung.”
-The
Northern Star
“Not
only does his fine voice impress (as the Duke of Mantua), but his
musicality, sincerity and dramatic abilities make a supremely positive
impact. This was evident in serious moments of a foreboding nature as well
as light-hearted material. As an interpreter, (he) is unusually sensitive
to both music and text which is possible because of the quality of his
voice and his supreme command of vocal technique. And…he captivates the
listener.”
-
New Orleans
Times Picayune
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