Reviews
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR/Summer Lyric Theatre, July 2021
"McKelvey, who came to Summer Lyric Theatre and Tulane a little more than six years ago, has been busy bringing lots of changes to the traditional summer programming and breathing new life into old standards as well as presenting newer works...More than anyone else, McKelvey, as artistic director, oversaw an intentional move away from the typical and expected casting which had become the calling card of Summer Lyric productions...With McKelvey on board and his connections to Broadway and a network of previously unexposed talent, shows like Newsies, Matilda and Ragtime became the calling card of the Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane productions audiences came to expect."-TheatreCriticism.com
"The music was masterfully conducted by McKelvey in this, his swan song..."-TheatreCriticism.com
SOMETHING ROTTEN/Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, January 2020
"Michael McKelvey is at the helm of this recent Broadway hit as both director and musical director and he clearly is having the time of his life...McKelvey’s brilliant conducting and painstaking direction comes across in every scene..."-TheatreCriticism.com
MATILDA/Summer Lyric Theatre, August 2019
"The show successfully leans into the darkly comic premise, offsetting the creepy, grim fairytale plot with the relentless cheeriness of mainstream musical theater. It’s a juxtaposition that works, not just because of the well-crafted storytelling, but also thanks to the performers’ full commitment to Dahl’s weird, wild world."-NOLA.com
WHITE CHRISTMAS/Jefferson Performing Arts Society, December 2018
"Following his triumph at the Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s massive production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, (McKelvey) returns to JPAS with a fresh and lively holiday production of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” that could rival the national tour seen here at the Saenger last Christmas season." - WYES-TV
SILENCE, THE MUSICAL/The Storyville Collective, September 2018
"The show is directed by Michael McKelvey, moonlighting from his day job as head of Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane. “Silence” is considerably more lowbrow and low-budget than the usual Summer Lyric fare, but McKelvey nonetheless commits to putting up a swift, tightly staged production."-NOLA.com
RAGTIME/Summer Lyric Theatre, July 2018
"Director Michael McKelvey takes fine advantage of that focus as he weaves the storylines together into their intricate telling. McKelvey's blocking is especially notable in that it reveals his eye for a well-composed stage picture. There are moments that one can freeze in tableaux, as in a stereoscope card of the day, that tell so much of the story through the visuals." - NOLA.com
MY FAIR LADY/Summer Lyric Theatre, June 2018
"Director Michael McKelvey allows this "My Fair Lady" to be "My Fair Lady," letting the musical stand on its own as a piece of its time. In doing so, the greatness of the show stands out, and can still speak directly to our times, precisely because it is a comedy offering a witty and penetrating look at class, sexual politics and dynamics, as well as identity itself." - NOLA.com
HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME/Jefferson Performing Arts Society, February 2018
"McKelvey brings a level of sophistication and understanding to this production that puts this show in the rarefied air of among the best to ever be seen on any local stage...It clearly is the finest production ever staged by JPAS, which is not in any way a denigration of their past work, but, moreover, an indication of how thoroughly refined and superb this specific show is."-TheatreCriticism.com
"At the helm of this massive production is director Michael McKelvey, who brings it all to life with a grand vision, but one that never eschews the tiny detail that fully colors the characters and plot. The stage bursts with effusive energy through the major production numbers, but McKelvey never loses sight of the intimacy of the tale and the varied relationships at the center of it all."-NOLA.com
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET/Rivertown Theatres, Jan. 2018
"Moving the show at a breakneck pace, Michael McKelvey directs with a smooth hand, almost unseen as the actor-musicians maintain a genuine sense of spontaneity. The sheer joy of performing, even just for one another in the studio, comes through, along with the competitive drive that would propel each to stardom." Times-Picayune
"Michael McKelvey strikes absolute gold with a cast that is almost as perfect were the real-life characters to magically been summoned back from the past...His fresh take on this recent Broadway hit is every bit as good, if not slightly better than the national tour that swung through New Orleans a few years back." WYES-TV
THE LAST FIVE YEARS @ Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, November 2017
"The back-and-forth is deftly directed by Michael E. McKelvey...the show exhibits a fine attention to detail, finding significance in the smallest of gestures, from half-smiles and loving gazes to rolling eyes or a dismissive wave." New Orleans Advocate
"With little action, the performers are boldly exposed onstage. Each move and gesture must be carefully thought out, for any false notes would shatter the mood. Director Michael McKelvey recognizes this and guides Owens and Watkins through the shifting perspectives with delicacy and nuance. McKelvey and his cast also smoothly navigate the tone of the piece, transitioning from moments of disappointment and anger to simple silly bits of humor to a deeply heartfelt longing." New Orleans Times-Picayune
GYPSY/Summer Lyric Theatre, August 2017
“McKelvey’s direction of the production is brilliant…” – Theatrecritism.com
“In a staging that displays wisely thought-out choices made in nearly every aspect, director Michael McKelvey and his team present one of the strongest renditions of the musical that local audiences have seen.” – Times-Picayune
HAIRSPRAY/Summer Lyric Theatre, July 2017
“The show’s humor is edgy, but its rendering is brilliant and heartwarming under the masterful direction of Michael McKelvey.” – Gambit Weekly
HAND TO GOD/The Storyville Collective, April 2017
“Hand to God,” receiving a deft production by the Storyville Collective...and smartly directed by Michael McKelvey.... McKelvey, flawlessly in tune with Askins’ desire to shock and scandalize, knows this play works best as a modern farce with bite (literally as the Act One curtain attests)…McKelvey handles this plot with dexterous swiftness, eliciting refreshing honesty from all of his first-rate actors.” – The Advocate
LEGALLY BLONDE/Summer Stock Austin
“Legally Blonde is very easy to love – all you really need is a cast that's committed to wringing every last drop of joy from a show that's saturated in the stuff, and a director who knows how best to set them loose.” - Austin Chronicle
BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON/Blue Theatre, Austin, Tx
Austin Chronicle's 10 Best Theatrical Events of 2012
“Screw the history books. This gloriously messy musical reveled in irreverence, ditching the same-old, same-old "Old Hickory" for an emo rock god." - Robert Faires, Austin Chronicle
“...excellent vocal direction and staging from prolific musical master Michael McKelvey, who miraculously managed to squeeze two guitarists and 15 actors onto the Blue Theatre's intimate stage.” - Austin Chronicle
REEFER MADNESS/Doctuh Mistuh Productions, Austin, Tx
10 Reasons I Stayed in Love with Theatre in 2013 - Robert Faires, Austin Chronicle
“Michael McKelvey and his gang of top-notch musical theatre performers still haven't come down from the success of last summer's Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, but perhaps the armload of B. Iden Payne and Austin Critics Table awards helped Doctuh Mistuh Productions get even higher this year with a buzzing production of Reefer Madness…The cast is solid, with tightly rolled vocals, courtesy of McKelvey's legendary musical direction....” - Austin Chronicle
“The zany show fits musical/stage director Michael McKelvey like a glove. The score, particularly the rock-fueled numbers, sounds fantastic, and his decision to keep the show consistently campy and melodramatic enhances the comedy and keeps the audience laughing. McKelvey's direction...utilize every inch of the intimate Spiderhouse Ballroom, often putting several of the performers in the aisles of the audience.” Broadway World
THE LAST 5 YEARS/Penfold Theatre Company, Austin, Tx 2010 & 2015
"Flawless"- Austin-American Statesman
“The show seems like about thirty minutes and gone too soon. Attribute this to the deft and efficient direction of Michael McKelvey, surefooted and fresh…” Central Texas Live Theatre
“You leave the theatre, an ache of a melody threaded through your chest, tribute to director and music director Michael McKelvey, who has crafted a tender, wistful anatomy of a relationship.” – Austin Chronicle
"Forgive me for gushing, but this is the sort of production that audiences are lucky to see: unique, intimate, beautiful, painful and wonderful."- Austin-American Statesman
BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON/Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA
“Michael McKelvey directs with the exact fast-paced gusto required. This can't have been an easy piece to put up — Timbers and Friedman really have created a barnburner.” - Pittsburgh City Paper
HEATHERS/DM Productions, Austin, Tx, July 2015
“Serving as both Director and Music Director, Michael McKelvey once again proves that he has his finger on the pulse of new and exciting music theatre. McKelvey has assembled the best up-and-coming local talent, and after seeing a production of the original Off-Broadway cast, I can honestly say that I preferred this cast both vocally and dramatically….” – Broadway World
NEVERMORE, The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe /DM Productions & Austin Playhouse, October 2016
“Michael McKelvey has created pure theatrical magic with this production that begins the moment the house lights snap out in synch with the music. Everything about this show is a pure delight. The end effect is like seeing a live action Tim Burton-esque film reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas in both look and tone; it has that same macabre joy to it.” – Broadway World
“The nightmare sequences are delightfully horrifying retellings of Poe’s work, all of which Michael McKelvey (director) successfully staged to maintain the integrity of the original texts’ tones.” – Austin Entertainment Weekly
SILENCE, THE MUSICAL/Doctuh Mistuh Productions, Austin, Tx
“Six nights into the run, audience members rose to their feet in a unified cheer of approval at show's end – which wasn't surprising after two hours of nearly nonstop laughter.” - Austin Chronicle
“Director Michael McKelvey who has always brought us great production has done it again delivering a production that “works”! We look forward to many more from this power house of talent.... This show is a 6 out of 5 stars..." - Austin Entertainment Weekly
ORDINARY DAYS/Penfold Theatre Company, Austin, Tx
“Director Michael McKelvey proves once again that he is the king of Chamber musicals, and musical theatre as a whole in his superb staging of this new musical.” - Austin Entertainment Weekly
"...the chance to see a small-scale, character-driven production sans grandiose spectacle proved irresistible...Ordinary Days is a study of intimacy.” - Austin Chronicle
JOHN AND JEN/Penfold Theatre Company, Austin, Tx
"sharp and compelling... (director Michael) McKelvey knows what makes the intimate chamber musical mode work to its best." - Austin American-Statesman
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE/Penfold Theatre, Austin, Tx
Austin Chronicle Pick for 10 Best Theatrical Events of 2011
“...directed by one of Austin's masters of musicals, Michael McKelvey..It is a chamber musical of no pretensions...Everything about this production is quick and smooth.” - Austin Chronicle
“Under Michael McKelvey’s direction, the song and dance numbers pull the audience laughingly along for the ride. While some songs deal flippantly with adult issues, there are also moments of sincere beauty.” - Austin 360
A MINISTER'S WIFE/Penfold Theatre Company, Austin, Tx
“Michael McKelvey's direction beautifully fits the material and his wonderful cast of actors. Like the show itself, McKelvey's direction is understated and simple but incredibly effective.” - Broadway World
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD/Summer Stock Austin, Tx
B. Iden Payne Award - Outstanding Production of a Show for Youth
“Director Michael McKelvey keeps the show blissfully simple. He smartly brings all the action to the downstage area…to make the action more immediate to the audience. He also doesn't treat the material like a children's show. Instead of letting his actors take the characters to over-the-top Hokey Land, an area in which most children's shows stray, his actors give us very grounded performances that are always interesting, funny, and sweet, but never cheesy, forced, or exaggerated. Though the characters are frogs, toads, and birds, this isn't a show about animals. It's a show about friendship.” Jeff Davis, Broadway World
CHESS/Austin Playhouse & Summer Stock Austin, Tx
“Chess is a strange little musical, but the cast and crew, led with skill by Michael McKelvey, are able to turn this tangle of material into something quite enjoyable.” - Austin Theatre Examiner
“Director Michel McKelvey tackles the project with zest. He paints interesting, dynamic pictures on the stage, with characters swirling around each other as they attempt to get the upper hand.” - Broadway World
AWARDS
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - LIZZIE, THE MUSICAL
producer
B. Iden Payne Awards 2023
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL - LIZZIE, THE MUSICAL
B. Iden Payne Awards 2023
BEST MUSICAL - HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
director
Big Easy Awards 2019
BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL - RAGTIME
Big Easy Awards 2019
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY - HAND TO GOD
producer
Big Easy Awards 2018
BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY - HAND TO GOD
Big Easy Awards 2018
CO-THEATRE PERSON OF THE YEAR
New Orleans Times-Picayune 2017
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - NEVERMORE, THE IMAGINARY LIFE & MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF EDGAR ALLAN POE
producer
B. Iden Payne Awards 2017
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - NEVERMORE, THE IMAGINARY LIFE & MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF EDGAR ALLAN POE
B. Iden Payne Award 2017
PEOPLE TO WATCH FOR 2016
New Orleans Magazine
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - HEATHERS
producer/director
B. Iden Payne Awards 2015
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - HEATHERS
B. Iden Payne Awards 2015
OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION (w/Adam Roberts) - HEATHERS
B. Iden Payne Awards 2015
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - SILENCE THE MUSICAL
producer
B. Iden Payne Awards 2014
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - SILENCE THE MUSICAL
B. Iden Payne Awards 2014
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - LEGALLY BLONDE
co-producer/director
Austin Critics Table
DEACON CRANE AWARD
Friends of the Zilker Summer Musical
BEST PRODUCTION FOR YOUTH - A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD
producer/director
B. Iden Payne Awards
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - SWEENEY TODD
co-producer
B. Iden Payne Awards
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - SWEENEY TODD
B. Iden Payne Awards
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION - SWEENEY TODD
B. Iden Payne Awards
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - JOHN & JEN
director
Austin Critics Table
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - ASSASSINS
B. Iden Payne Awards
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION - ASSASSINS
B. Iden Payne Awards
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL - THE LAST 5 YEARS
director
Austin Critics Table
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION - PARADE & OTHERS
Austin Critics Table
JOHN BUSTIN AWARD
Austin Critics Table
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION - CRAZY FOR YOU
Austin Critics Table