ASSASSINS
“One thing that struck me hardest was the robust use of The Proprietor (Melissa Brobeck). Besides leading the group in the tart, sarcastic opening, ‘Everybody’s Got the Right’ and reappearing on the chilling statement of intent ‘Another National Anthem,’ Brobeck appears throughout as an instigator, an angel of death, and the hand of systems the characters perceive but don’t comprehend. Brobeck – also the catalyst for dazzling heartbreak as Emma Goldman – is perfect here. Her rich voice and subtle motions emphasize the seduction of America and the darker side of the bargain it asks, down to her representing the bystanders on the aching final song, ‘Something Just Broke.'” —Richard Sanford, Columbus Underground, Ohio
“Theatergoers are immersed in a seedy 19th-century carnival led by a Proprietor (seductive Melissa Brobeck) who invites customers to “C’mon and shoot a president.“ The creative team and a topnotch 11-member ensemble blend consistently excellent acting, singing, and design into one of the year’s most electrifying shows.” —Michael Grossberg, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
“Director Gina Minyard adds some distinctive touches, casting Melissa Brobeck as The Proprietor, who supplies the assassins with the courage and weaponry needed to take down the president. Brobeck provides a seductive inner voice that spurs on the shooters.” —Paul Batterson, BroadwayWorld.com
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GOD OF CARNAGE
“And, oh, how fun to watch this foursome transform and unravel from the safety of one’s seat! . . . A superb cast. Under the direction of Craig Joseph, this is some of the finest ensemble acting I’ve ever seen on a local stage, brimming with energy and inspired details that seem utterly of the moment. Melissa Brobeck is sharp, shrewd and self-righteous as Veronica, the mother of the attacked boy and the hostess of this cozy little gathering. … This terrifically juicy and entertaining production deserves to be seen.” —Dan Kane, Canton Repository, Ohio
“A superbly gifted ensemble cast of four: Melissa Brobeck, Moriah Ophardt, Johnny Russell, and Brian Scharfenberg. … Equal parts raucous humor and unsettling honesty. In turn, all the cast members bring deliciously nuanced subtlety and credibility to their roles – often wickedly so. Their collective decline from genteel demeanor to vitriolic fractiousness is wholly riveting. Melissa Brobeck’s Veronica, with perpetually superficial smile, is a sanctimonious culture maven who becomes as unglued as her precious coffee table art books … .” —Tom Wachunas, artwach, Ohio
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SOME ENCHANTED EVENING: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein
“The talented Melissa Brobeck never batted an eye and kept singing like the pro she is . . . [with] all her cute girlishness as nurse Nellie, including doing a cartwheel. Brobeck, a graduate in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music, played ingénue parts with her sweet, bright voice, including Cinderella’s ‘In My Own Little Corner’ as well as ‘I Enjoy Being a Girl’ from Flower Drum Song.” —Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio
“These performers add a lot of personality to their delivery. Standout numbers include my lifetime favorite ‘If I Loved You’ from Carousel, movingly sung by Stephen Brockway and Melissa Brobeck. … Brobeck’s strong soprano soars in ‘I Have Dreamed’ from The King and I.” —Fran Heller, Cleveland Jewish News, Ohio
“The songs are performed by a stellar four-member ensemble. … said Dorothy Rudick of Canton, ‘The voices were wonderful. I especially liked [Melissa Brobeck].’ . . . Highlights included the sweet ‘It Might as Well Be Spring’ sung by Brobeck … .” —April Helms, Hudson Hub-Times, Ohio
“Brobeck’s ‘Out of My Dreams’ was a hauntingly portrayed song.” —Roger Durbin, Akron West Side Leader, Ohio
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ANNIE
“In the choice role of delightfully detestable Miss Hannigan, Melissa Brobeck is terrifically funny. Her every surly gesture and grimace draws deserved laughter and her big number, ‘Little Girls,’ is a showstopper.” —Dane Kane, Canton Repository, Ohio
“Ms. Brobeck shows off her significant singing chops in the dark ode to orphans, ‘Little Girls.'” —Bob Abelman, Chagrin Valley Times, Ohio
“As the irascible, ebrious Miss Hannigan – the abusive orphanage supervisor – Melissa Brobeck is a wonder to behold. … She’s a riveting presence throughout the evening, and no more so than in her singing of the bitterly sardonic ‘Little Girls.’” —Tom Wachunas, artwach, Ohio
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THE FULL MONTY
“Melissa Brobeck, playing Harold’s wife, Vicki, has an electrifying singing voice to go along with her uncanny and well-honed comedic sensibility.” —Tom Wachunas, artwach, Ohio
“Brobeck brings plenty of memorable pizzazz to the role of Harold’s wife, especially in her solo song.” —Dan Kane, Canton Repository, Ohio
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LITTLE WOMEN: The Musical
“It’s the acting that makes this show so rewarding. … Melissa Brobeck is Jo, the feisty, aspiring writer, one of the March daughters, who with their ‘Marmee’ are the ‘little women’ to the absent father/husband, who is fighting in the Civil War. This portrayal is one-part Lily Tomlin, one-part Carol Burnett, with a singing voice better than them both.” —Jim Cavener, Asheville Citizen-Times, N.C.
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Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA
“Melissa Brobeck is an adorable Cinderella. … Brobeck is an extremely talented singer and actress and brings much heart to this fairy tale character. Her voice is clear and sweet.” —Tony Kiss, Asheville Citizen-Times, N.C.
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RAGTIME
“There are some sensitive subjects in Ragtime that we are unaccustomed to hearing, and when racial and religious slurs are used, it causes a brief personal reaction. But being truthful to the era is paramount and the subplot provides both optimism and comic relief – especially with chorus girl Evelyn Nesbit (shapely Melissa Brobeck), the girl who literally ‘swings’ from one paramour to the next.” —Marcia Morphy, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, N.Y.
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SUSANNAH
“Susannah is well-sung and acted, especially by Brobeck [in the title role], whose pure soprano helps convey the innocence of her character, especially in the plaintive ‘The Trees on the Mountain.’” —Leslie Mizell, Greensboro News & Record, N.C.
“Played beautifully by Melissa Brobeck … .” —Morgan Smith, The Carolinian Online, N.C.
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LAKMÉ
“Soprano Rebecca Meyers as Ellen and mezzo-soprano Melissa Brobeck as Rose, the Governor’s entitled — and spoiled — daughters, were excellent. They brought both characters fully to life and had well-supported and supple voices that were heard to advantage in solos and ensembles.” —William Thomas Walker, Classical Voice of North Carolina, N.C.