PRESS
The Grand Duke (Sudbury Savoyards)
"This challenging cross between Katisha (from Mikado), Mad Margaret (from Ruddigore), and Gilbert himself (she provides running commentary on the dramatic action and describes elements essential to her own character development) was ably interpreted by Elaine Crane. This virtuoso performance alone was reason enough to make the trek out to Sudbury."
Laura Stanfield Prichard (The Boston Musical Intelligencer, 2/27/23)
A committed actress, or an actress more likely to be committed, Julia is probably the funniest character in The Grand Duke - reminiscent of the earliest..."method actress" completely immersing herself into the role once the plan is executed. Both (Lonnie) Powell (as Ernest) and Elaine Crane are exemplary, providing much required energy to their respective roles. This helps keep the pace brisk..." Kevin Baldwin (METRMag, 2/25/23
"Julia is portrayed by the dynamic Elaine Crane, whose sensational vocals and endearing comedic chops coupled with her accent work radiate of an actor who skillfully can mold a character with intricate finesse." (I Am the Drama, 2/25/23)
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (Greater Worcester Opera)
"In Greater Worcester Opera’s livestream production of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” audiences can expect some fine vocal talent befitting such an ambitious undertaking."
Kevin Baldwin (METRMag, 5/9/21)
"Phoebe, the sweet innocent and true love of Monty is played marvelously by Elaine Crane who has a stunning soprano voice....All the performers do a splendid job both singing and acting their roles."
Tony Annicone (Tony’s Corner, 5/7/21)
A Little Night Music (Greater Worcester Opera)
"Crane is unflinching as Desiree and her vocal prowess is equaled by her comedic timing. Yet she still manages to bring the audience close to tears with her heartfelt rendition of the musical’s iconic song, “Send in the Clowns.”
Kevin Baldwin (METRMag, 03/20)
"This production has a talented cast, most of whom have very impressive credentials and experience. Only space limitations prevent a listing of the entire ensemble, but it would be negligent not to mention both Elaine Crane in the role of Desiree Armfeldt and Todd Yard as Fredrik Egerman for their exceptional grasp of character and outstanding voices. There is chemistry between the two that underscores the story’s development, and they light up the stage individually as well as in the scenes they share."
Jarice Hanson (In the Spotlight, 03/10/20)
The Gondoliers (Valley Light Opera)
"Elaine Crane as Casilda has a sweet soprano and is very believable as she puzzles over her fate."
Jenny Hansell (Berkshire Onstage, 11/4/2018)
Le Nozze di Figaro (Panopera)
"Elaine Crane negotiated the demanding role of Susanna with grace and beauty, creating some truly lovely moments in Deh vieni, non tardar (a gorgeous high B-flat ornament at the end of the aria) and partnering fellow soprano Kate Saik's Countess in the gorgeous Act 3 'letter duet,' Sull'aria."
Clifton Noble Jr. (MassLive.com 1/27/2018)
Side By Side By Sondheim (Calliope Productions)
"...The trio of abundantly talented vocalists — Heidi Choe, Marc Clermont and Elaine Crane — (who) melodically guide us through an anthology of Sondheim's works up to 1978....Crane's plaintive, aching rendition of "Losing My Mind" from "Follies" is heartfelt..."Broadway Baby," which is delivered with big, brassy panache by Crane...Crane and Choe pair up beautifully on one of that musical's (West Side Story's) lesser known numbers, the operatic aria "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love.""
Paul Kolas (Worcester Telegram, 3/10/17)
The Marriage of Figaro (Greater Worcester Opera)
"The Marriage of Figaro revolves around the sexual relationships between the regency and their servants, and is led by bass-baritone Miles Rand as servant Figaro and soprano Elaine Crane as his fiancé, fellow servant Susanna. Crane (had) some of the best moments onstage...Sets and scene changes were adequate to the show, but it was obvious more time was spent on the music, which, granted, was practically flawless."
Kevin Baldwin (Worcester Telegram, 06/25/16)
Yeomen of the Guard (Valley Light Opera)
"When producing Gilbert & Sullivan on a community level, you generally have to pick between performers who can sing, and those who can act. Overall, Haney has gone with singers, which is a good choice in a large venue like the Academy of Music Theatre. Her few double threats therefore stand out clearly...Klate and Crane are VLO stalwarts, used to assaying the character man and leading lady respectively, and they disport themselves with professionalism. Crane is a lovely soprano and brings a real pathos to the role of Elsie."
Gail M. Burns (Berkshire on Stage and Screen, 11/13/14)
Yeomen of the Guard (Valley Light Opera)
"It is said that the sign of a great director is in the casting. The VLO's perfect cast gives an almost perfect rendition of this masterpiece, giving full vocal and histrionic justice to both text and music...Not only can Elaine Crane, who plays Elsie, sing, but she brilliantly “takes on” the emotions needed for this demanding role."
Mary Ann Dennis (In The Spotlight 11/17/14)
Cosi Fan Tutte (Greater Worcester Opera)
"Elaine Crane made the most of Despina's amusing turns in her own disguises...Very expressive as the extrovert accomplice, she captured the quick thinking mischievousness that make the maid a female counterpart to the renowned male servant icon Figaro. She sang with arresting attitude as Despina fiercely advises the siblings that men are pigs."
Jules Becker (Worcester Telegram, 6/9/14)
Steel Magnolias (Calliope Productions)
"Anyone who sees this production will see how Gardell (Shelby) and Crane make it feel so movingly authentic....M'Lynn may be the most challenging role to bring off, Crane keeping her feelings bottled up with a lovely, elegant performance filled with contrite lady-like observation and opinion, until the very end, when Crane erupts into a heart-rending emotional release."
Paul Kolas (Worcester Telegram, 10/19/13)
Brigadoon (Theatre III)
"This BRIGADOON is a lively and spirited production. Not only does it have a professional director (who has made darned sure the Scottish accents are perfect) it has a virtuoso bagpiper in Tim Sullivan and an operatic Fiona in Elaine Crane...Crane and Arthur Comer as the lovers from two different worlds duet nicely with 'From This Day On'."
Beverly Creasy (Boston Arts Review, 10/14/12)
Carmen (Greater Worcester Opera)
"No doubt...the highlights were some of the more subdued scenes. I really felt that this production was at its best here. Micaëla's last courageous attempt to rescue Don José was such a poignant scene - it really touched my heart."
David Wilson & Donald Macmillan (Berkshire Fine Arts, 7/8/12)
Gianni Schicchi (Greater Worcester Opera)
"Gianni placates their greed, but allocates the richest portions of Donati’s estate to himself. He thus can endow his daughter Lauretta (Elaine Crane) sufficiently for a marriage to Rinuccio (Richard Monroe). They get to end the opera in a stunning walk-off duet of love..."
"Strong singing... Greater Worcester Opera brings wit, charm, energy and wondrous professional zing to the effort. "
John Zeugner, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 6/12/11
The Music Man (Savoyard Light Opera Company)
"Elaine Crane was a lovely Marian the Librarian; the production was lively, polished, clever and fun, with fine performances from all."
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXXV No. 4 (December 2010)
Die Fledermaus (Worcester Opera Works)
"The outstanding feature of this production was the singing. The scales, trills, and arpeggios demanded by Strauss were handily executed by both soloists and chorus. The singing was musically polished, with fine intonation and... good diction. Elaine Crane sang the part of Rosalinda beautifully.... It was a boisterous, fun-filled affair, with splendid singing by local talent."
Joyce Tamer, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 6/13/10
The Mikado (Master Singers of Worcester/Worcester Opera Works)
"Crane lent splendid attractiveness to the love interest, Yum-Yum. She delivered passion in a surprisingly powerful voice, but was deliciously dubious upon learning that one proposal leads inevitably to being buried alive."
John Zeugner, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 3/15/10
"Elaine Crane's Yum-Yum was charming, and just vacuous enough to keep us enchanted. Her shimmering soprano, fine diction, and convincing self-interest... highlighted her acting skills."
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXXIV No. 5 (April 2010)
The Pirates of Penzance (Valley Light Opera)
"Elaine Crane was an effervescent Mabel whose smile lit up not just the stage but the whole auditorium. Her energy level and the quality of her singing felt to me like a challenge to the rest of the cast, to which they fortunately rose."
"Elaine Crane... did a superb job as Mabel. Her beautiful voice capably handled the high notes and cadenzas in 'Poor Wandr'ing One.' The interplay and expressions between (Michael Holt as Frederick) and Elaine were fully believable."
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXXIV No. 3 (January 2010)
From London to Vienna- an Evening of Operetta (Worcester Opera Works)
"We were treated to... a fun and witty rendition of 'Art is Calling for Me' by Elaine Crane, who charmed us with her brilliant high notes and charisma... The first half concluded with 'The Merry Widow Waltz', elegantly sung and danced..."
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXXIV No. 1 (August 2009)
My Fair Lady (Stageloft Repertory Theater)
"Crane is incandescent as Eliza. She’s blessed with a voice that rings with extraordinary purity and range, embracing 'Wouldn’t It Be Loverly' with great affection and soaring on the melodious wings of 'I Could Have Danced All Night.' She can also put a man in his place with amusing gusto on 'Just You Wait' and 'Show Me.' It’s quite enthralling to watch her transpose from a 'guttersnipe' into a refined 'lady,' although her lapse into her old ways at the Ascot Racecourse elicits a well-deserved laugh.... As they burst into song and dance, you’ll feel as celebratory as they do."
Paul Kolas, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 6/22/09
Princess Ida (Valley Light Opera)
"After much anticipation, we finally got to see Princess Ida. Ida's two big arias in this show come as close to 'Grand Opera' as anything Sullivan composed. It takes a complete singer as well as a complete actress to successfully deliver this role, and Elaine Crane came through with flying colors. I was pleased that Ida was not just a one-dimensional character of stern philosophies but was allowed to employ Elaine's considerable comic talents as well."
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXXIII No. 3 (November 2008)
Moments- A Musical Journey (Worcester County Light Opera Company)
"It's a heartfelt show that boasts some truly impressive singing, especially from Elaine Crane... (who) lovingly conveys 'Till there was you' and hauntingly renders 'Wishing you were somehow here again'... (Crane) stand(s) out for sheer vocal prowess..."
Paul Kolas, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 10/1/08
The Gondoliers (Savoyard Light Opera Company)
"Elaine Crane was a lovely 'Gianetta', her sweet, pure voice easily meeting the demands of the role. Her acting was so committed to every movement and gesture and word... it made for a very real, honest performance."
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXXII No. 4 (January 2008)
The Marriage of Figaro (Worcester Opera Works)
"Soprano Crane brings clear-toned dignity and elegance to (her) role."
John Zeugner, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 6/17/07
Mozart's Mass in C Minor (Falmouth Chorale)
"Soprano Elaine Crane... sang movingly and competently."
Susan Pennington, The Falmouth Enterprise , 4/6/07
The Gondoliers (Valley Light Opera)
"Elaine Crane charmed as... Casilda."
Clifton J. Noble Jr., Springfield Republican , 11/6/06
The Grand Duke (Sudbury Savoyards)
"The Princess of Monte Carlo was played by Elaine Crane... She was charming, as always, and so appealing that I wished we could have seen more of her character."
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXX No. 5 (March 2006)
Ebenezer Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (New Life Fine Arts)
"This version adds depth to Dickens' characters, especially his lost love, Belle... played by Elaine Crane, who sings beautifully."
Sheila Barth, The Lynn Journal, 12/21/05
Annie (Worcester County Light Opera)
"Elaine Crane is absolutely radiant as Warbuck's secretary, Grace Farrell, looking very much like someone who just stepped out of a 1933 fashion magazine. Her voice soars on 'I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here,' 'You Won't Be An Orphan For Long,' and 'NYC.' She also sends a caring, maternal warmth across the stage whenever she's on it."
Paul Kolas, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 5/4/04
Ruddigore (Valley Light Opera)
“Elaine Crane (was) brilliant as Rose… Crane’s voice and demeanor were perfect G&S heroine material…”
Clifton J. Noble Jr., Springfield Republican , 11/8/04
“Elaine Crane, playing Rose, sang beautifully and was a charming actress.”
Phyllis Lehrer, Daily Hampshire Gazette, 11/11/04
“Elaine Crane as Rose had (a) beautiful voice and (was a) very fine comic actor.”
The Trumpet Bray (New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Volume XXIX No. 3 (Nov.-Dec. 2004)
Spring Pops (Worcester Chorus)
Elaine Crane gave “… an exquisite rendering of Harold Arlen’s ‘Over the Rainbow’…”
Peter Landsdowne, Worcester Telegram and Gazette, 6/7/04
Ramirez’s “Missa Criolla” (Worcester Chorus)
"Elaine Crane sparkled in the Missa Criolla..."
Worcester Telegram and Gazette, 6/3/02