Ellen Tree in RED VELVET
“Elizabeth Efteland gives a compelling performance as Ellen Tree. She projects personal integrity that guides Ellen to do what she believes is right and be open to new ideas, even if it puts a wedge in her most intimate relationship. She comes across as bright, brave, and self-reliant.” … “It is worth seeing for the fascinating historical moment it illuminates, and for strong performances by JuCoby Johnson and Elizabeth Efteland.”
“This outstanding cast carries the variety of roles and viewpoints with panache. Johnson and Efteland steal the show with beautiful, poignant performances, balancing 19th century dialogue along with Shakespearean scenes. “
“The best player in the cast is Efteland, whose Ellen must navigate her fiancé’s insecurities onstage and off … in a fraught setting. Efteland’s performance shows maturity and intelligence. She says much with gestures and pauses.” -Rohan Preston, STAR TRIBUNE
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“As Ellen Tree, the actress who plays Desdemona, Elizabeth Efteland is a calm and elegant presence, willing to set aside the ‘teapot style’ of acting popular at the time (one hand on the hip, the other making grand gestures) and try Aldridge’s suggestions. “Play what I feel?” she exclaims. “How avant-garde!”” - Pamela Espeland, MINN POST
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“As director Amy Rummenie says … “It's one thing to slip into the mindset of another character, but it requires another layer of intellectual and emotional acrobatics for the actors to look through the lens of history with a modern eye." Which is exactly what this excellent eight-person cast does. …wonderful ensemble, many of whom play multiple characters with multiple accents, includes … Elizabeth Efteland (an elegant and intelligent performance)” -Jill Schafer, CHERRY & SPOON