Singin' in the Rain - The Phoenix Theatre Company 2022
"First off, lead players Elyssa Blonder (as perky ingenue, Kathy Selden), Michael Starr (as Hollywood heartthrob, Don Lockwood) and Blake Patrick Spellacy (as versatile funnyman, Cosmo Brown) literally channel their respective movie counterparts, the above-mentioned Reynolds, Kelly and O’Connor. These are not imitators; these are embodiments!" - Joe Gruberman, Splash Magazine
"Blonder’s radiant, joyful smile and buoyant personality exude the unbridled optimism of a Broadway-bound star in the making." - Joe Gruberman, Splash Magazine
"Spellacy and Starr are joined by Elyssa Blonder in “Good Morning”....Here is where we see the electric synergy that melds the three characters together as a force to be reckoned with." - Joe Gruberman, Splash Magazine
"Elyssa Blonder’s Kathy Selden is always beholden to Lockwood as she uses her wiles to successfully woo him as her glorious voice, and smartly toe-tapping feet to outshine “star” Lina Lamont." - Chris Curcio, Curtain Up Phoenix
"The actors playing Don Lockwood and Kathy Selden had to be triple threats, with acting, singing and dancing abilities. Being able to tap dance well was especially important, as Don Lockwood, Kathy Selden and Cosmo do a big tap dance number in the first act. Another iconic moment from the film that was recreated was during Good Morning, when Don Lockwood, Kathy Selden and Cosmo dance on and magically flip back the couch." - Laura Latzko, AZ Culture
"Blonder’s radiant, joyful smile and buoyant personality exude the unbridled optimism of a Broadway-bound star in the making." - Joe Gruberman, Splash Magazine
"Spellacy and Starr are joined by Elyssa Blonder in “Good Morning”....Here is where we see the electric synergy that melds the three characters together as a force to be reckoned with." - Joe Gruberman, Splash Magazine
"Elyssa Blonder’s Kathy Selden is always beholden to Lockwood as she uses her wiles to successfully woo him as her glorious voice, and smartly toe-tapping feet to outshine “star” Lina Lamont." - Chris Curcio, Curtain Up Phoenix
"The actors playing Don Lockwood and Kathy Selden had to be triple threats, with acting, singing and dancing abilities. Being able to tap dance well was especially important, as Don Lockwood, Kathy Selden and Cosmo do a big tap dance number in the first act. Another iconic moment from the film that was recreated was during Good Morning, when Don Lockwood, Kathy Selden and Cosmo dance on and magically flip back the couch." - Laura Latzko, AZ Culture
A Chorus Line - The Phoenix Theatre Company 2023
"..."At the Ballet" ... understudy Elyssa Blonder (who was on for Maggie at the performance I attended) is a highlight, with moving vocals from the trio." - Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway
The Little Mermaid - Hale Centre Theatre 2022
"Elyssa Blonder exhibits the perfect blend of bright-eyed optimism, innocence, and youthful excitement as Ariel. Her singing voice shines on her solos and she projects clear emotional connections with the entire cast." - Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway
The Sound of Music - The Phoenix Theatre Company 2019
"Elyssa Blonder is charming as Liesl, who is coming of age as the accidental matriarch of her family. Her voice is pure and innocent, but she exudes a certain heartiness that only exists in an oldest child, and especially potent when the oldest is forced to mold into caretaker due to the loss of a parent. The scene between Blonder and Ryan Ardelt (Rolf) in Act 1 “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” was one of the show’s many highlights, beautifully choreographed and performed." - Rebecca Rudnyk, YabYum Music + Arts Review.
"With a winning stage presence and an abundance of exuberance, Elyssa Blonder is a joy as the Captain's eldest daughter Liesl. The duet "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" is endearing, and their ability to navigate through Whiting's fairly elaborate series of dance steps is quite impressive, creating a crowd-pleasing moment." - Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway Regional Review
"The portrayals of the seven von Trapp children are delightful, with an exceptional turn by Elyssa Blonder as Liesl." - Herbert Paine, Broadway World Review
"With a winning stage presence and an abundance of exuberance, Elyssa Blonder is a joy as the Captain's eldest daughter Liesl. The duet "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" is endearing, and their ability to navigate through Whiting's fairly elaborate series of dance steps is quite impressive, creating a crowd-pleasing moment." - Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway Regional Review
"The portrayals of the seven von Trapp children are delightful, with an exceptional turn by Elyssa Blonder as Liesl." - Herbert Paine, Broadway World Review
Daddy Long Legs - Hale Centre Theatre 2020
"I had the great fortune to attend the performance of "Daddy Long Legs" at The Hale Theatre last evening. In the past, performers would be in the lobby to greet patrons after the show and share a few words, but that is not possible at the moment. So, I didn't have a chance to thank you in person for the amazing performance. Jerusha is a challenging role, and you carried it off beautifully. Although I have no doubt that your career will take you back to New York and all around the world, I hope you will continue to come back to Arizona and delight audiences here in between your world travels." - Anonymous, patron email
Bells Are Ringing - College Light Opera Company 2017
"Elyssa Blonder takes the lead role of Ella Peterson, who assumes a number of personas to meddle in her clients’ lives. Blonder does come off as everyone’s best friend, as she dips in and out of vignettes served up as slices of subscribers’ lives. She adeptly handles a variety of humorous one-liners and musical numbers ranging from the fun and frivolous “Is It a Crime?” to the plaintive “The Party’s Over.”'- Sue Mellen, Cape Cod Times
"The story of this 1950s comedy centers around Ella Peterson, played by Elyssa Blonder, who is an answering service employee for the Susanswerphone company in New York. Ms. Blonder has a lovely voice, can project with the best of them and her acting and dancing are quite excellent, too." - Laura Gross-Higgins, The Falmouth Enterprise
West Side Story - The Phoenix Theatre Company 2018
"Like the Prologue, The Dance at the Gym,the dream ballet sequence of Somewhere with an impressive lead vocal from Elyssa Nicole Blonder, plus the powerful “Tonight” Quintet, America will take your breath away." - David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage: David Appleford's Film and Theatre Reviews
Heather's The Musical - Stray Cat Theatre 2016
"Blonder is enthusiastic as the girl who is ready to make a change, and she also excels on a great song, "Lifeboat," in act two, which is a gentle plea for help". - Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway Regional Review
"Blonder really shines in “Lifeboat,” a melancholy ballad so pretty it almost sounds ... unironic." - Kerry Lengel, AZCentr
