Direction/Choreography
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"Innovative choices, inspired comic acting, and a satisfying romance... Americana’s production is sharply directed by Brance Cornelius.... Creativity is required in this production. Besides providing a few drawers and shelves for Harry’s Monte Carlo hotel room, none of the set pieces or props are literal. A stiff leash becomes a dog, a spinning umbrella serves as a roulette wheel, and an outstanding dream sequence, a funny yet strangely unsettling nightmare (“Welcome Back Mr. Witherspoon”) includes a vertical bed formed only by a sheet held vertically in front of Harry as he pictures his return to obscurity. So, while “LUCKY STIFF” is not exactly avant-garde, it is quite inventive."
-Jim Dorman, Patriot Ledger "As Directed by Brance Cornelius, the company performs at breakneck pace... and timing that clearly shows this cast was extraordinarily well rehearsed." -Jack Craib, South Shore Critic |
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SEVEN BRIDES... received six nominations for Sacramento's Elly Awards, including Best Overall Production & Best Direction.
NorCal's FOX 40 morning team stopped by to visit Milly & the Brothers; and always Jessup Theatre packages a strong, site-specific promotional video. THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES was the inaugural show performed at the newly restored Academy of Music in downtown Lynchburg. Originally built in 1905, in the Beaux Arts style, the boards of this historic theatre were once trod upon by the great Will Rogers himself! The Liberty Champion captured the spirit surrounding the production. |
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"...initially I didn’t want to see William Jessup University's ...STEEL MAGNOLIAS. What a mistake that would have been!"
-Dick Frantzreb, www.perfcal.com "Notable performance fill the season... In Macon, the most fun night was the Maples Rep’s 'ANDREWS BROTHERS.'"
-Bill Clark, Columbia (MO) Daily Tribune |
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PERFORMANCE
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"Lauren Hoffmeier and Brance Cornelius ...pure musical comedy ...“Big D,” brought down the house."
-Harry Saltzman, New York Concert Review
"As far as the vocals go, the Dicapo regulars are upstaged by the cast’s two musical-theater ringers.
Lauren Hoffmeier as the sassy waitress Cleo... she matched by Brance Cornelius as her timid boyfriend, Herman. His penetrating tenor and bouncy comic energy kicked the second act into high gear with the Western-flavored 'Big D.'”
-James Jorden, NewYork Post
"...comic relief is provided by Rosabella's friend Cleo (the delightful belter Lauren Hoffmeier) and
Tony's employee Herman (the hilarious Brance Cornelius)... Their show-stopping number "Big D" won our hearts."
-Meche Kroop, Voce di meche
"...the optimistic, happy-go-lucky Herman, was deftly played by the delightful Brance Cornelius ...great charisma and excellent comic timing. Both had the uncanny ability to deliver a deadpan one-liner and leave the audience in stitches."
-Minda Larsen, theateronline.com
-Harry Saltzman, New York Concert Review
"As far as the vocals go, the Dicapo regulars are upstaged by the cast’s two musical-theater ringers.
Lauren Hoffmeier as the sassy waitress Cleo... she matched by Brance Cornelius as her timid boyfriend, Herman. His penetrating tenor and bouncy comic energy kicked the second act into high gear with the Western-flavored 'Big D.'”
-James Jorden, NewYork Post
"...comic relief is provided by Rosabella's friend Cleo (the delightful belter Lauren Hoffmeier) and
Tony's employee Herman (the hilarious Brance Cornelius)... Their show-stopping number "Big D" won our hearts."
-Meche Kroop, Voce di meche
"...the optimistic, happy-go-lucky Herman, was deftly played by the delightful Brance Cornelius ...great charisma and excellent comic timing. Both had the uncanny ability to deliver a deadpan one-liner and leave the audience in stitches."
-Minda Larsen, theateronline.com
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"Brance Cornelius registers well, too, as her kindly Papa."
-Everett Evans, Houston Chronicle "Brance Cornelius and Serena Brook as Papa and Mama Who, are sweet & winning. Each of them has a lovely singing voice that they get to show off in a couple of numbers...". -Robert A. Mitchell, KDHX St. Louis "Brance Cornelius, who plays Cindy-Lou's daddy, reminded me a lot of one of my favorite childhood comedians, Paul Lynde." -Bob Fischbach, Omaha World-Herald |
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“...the playfulness and precision of his choreography hit a mark rarely seen locally outside national touring shows. The energetic routines create an apt medium for the show’s torrent of lyrical silliness. Rossetti and Cornelius’ tap-dancing number to the corny tune “Cold Feets” is among the most memorable.” -Erik Esckilsen, Seven Days-Vermont’s Independent Voice |
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“Cornelius delivers a knockout punch with "Make ‘Em Laugh" and teams up brilliantly with Martin for "Moses Supposes", ...Cornelius nearly steals every scene in which he appears with elastic comic work…” -Christopher Tower, Battle Creek Enquirer |
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