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  

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

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  

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  

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