J ANTHONY CRANE
actor. director. coach.
PRESS
Les Miserables
North American Tour ’17-‘19
By Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil
Directed by Lawrence Connor and James Powell
“As the Thénardiers, the scalawag couple in whose care Fantine left Cosette, Allison Guinn and J. Anthony Crane pay flamboyant homage to the extravagant comic traditions of Moliere. As repugnant as these monsters of depravity really are, Guinn and Crane play them for the comic relief that Boublil and Schonberg intended.” Calgary Herald
“J Anthony Crane all but steals the show as the conniving Thénardier, who reduces sin and degradation to slapstick, providing comic relief from the protagonist’s nobility.” Des Moines Register
"The comic foils of the story are scheming innkeeper Thenardier and his wife Madame Thenardier, played so perfectly here by J. Anthony Crane and Allison Guinn." Chicago Tribune
"In the new national tour of Les Miserables at the Paramount, the Thenardiers are played by J. Anthony Crane and Allison Guinn, and they are better than they need to be, better than Cohen and Carter, with fiendish appetites and dead-baby-eating grins.” The Stranger, Seattle
“Among the terrific cast are many talented actors, including J. Anthony Crane as Monsieur Thénardier… Crane is sensational as he jumps around his inn, singing during their showstopping number Master of the House” STL.com
"Both Crane and Guinn as the Thénardiers brought humor to the show as both were the true dynamos of the production. Their frequent antics and extravagant musical numbers had the audience laughing out loud. Crane and Guinn's characters served as pillars of emotional relief from the more intense parts of the show.” Broadway World Vancouver
Watch On The Rhine
Arena Stage, Washington, D.C.
By Lillian Hellman
Directed by Jackie Maxwell
Helen Hayes Award Nomination
“The piece’s convenient villain, a Romanian count played to the dastardly hilt by J Anthony Crane, is, as luck would have it, enjoying the hospitality of Fanny’s household as well. His cultured Continental accent, the universal sign of malevolent intent, guarantees a surfeit of intrigue on the Potomac.” Washington Post
“The actors who play Kurt the Hero (Andrew Long) and Teck the Villain (J. Anthony Crane) also excel at their respective roles as self-righteous political outsider and greedy nihilist” The DCist
“Kurt faces threats on his life, not only from Nazis but from a scoundrel houseguest, Teck De Brancovis (J Anthony Crane) ... Crane does villainy vividly” DC Metro Theater Arts
“J. Anthony Crane makes a perfect De Brancovis, with his sinister and threatening demeanor.” Theatermania
“The irascible villain (J Anthony Crane) mustached Romanian count Teck De Bancovis is both wicked and manipulative. He cruelly manhandles his American wife Marthe (Natalia Payne) and looks greedily at the wealth of the extended Farrelly family as a chance to regain his lost European fortunes.” Edge Media Network
Ragtime
Barrington Stage Company, Pittsfield, MA
By Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Joe Colarco
“Crane tempers Tateh's desperation, fear and frustration with endearing self-effacing humor and audacious charm, especially when, purely by chance, he stumbles onto his future.” Berkshire Eagle
“Touching, effective and emotionally satisfying was the performance of Tateh, the Jewish immigrant, in the hands of J. Anthony Crane. A counterpoint character with important things to portray, he is also, incidentally, the romantic hero of the work once Coalhouse has moved from romantic to militant. Crane makes him loveable without overdoing it and keeps the advancing curiosity this character naturally possesses at a pace that keeps Tateh a part of the panorama rather than an intrusive figure. This is not an easy route to take, but he does it so well.” Berkshire Edge
“The performances are especially vivid in the three key roles that carry most of the show’s emotional weight. The third key role is a Jewish immigrant from Latvia, Tateh (J. Anthony Crane), who is fiercely protective of his young daughter (Frances Evans) as they struggle to make their way in America. Crane makes us feel Tateh’s desperation, and his determination, too, as the immigrant barely survives living in tenements and working in brutal factories before he has a brainstorm about a way to make money — and art — from paper silhouettes.” Boston Globe
“J. Anthony Crane commands the stage as Tateh, a Latvian immigrant who wants a better life for his daughter.” The Westfield News
“As Tateh, J. Anthony Crane may not have had the vocal range to do Tateh’s songs full justice, at least not the night that I saw the show, but he more than makes up for this with his endearing and layered portrayal of the poor immigrant who goes on to make it big in Hollywood.” ZealNYC
“Crane is also strong as Tateh. Parenthood and the succession of generations is an important theme in Ragtime, and Tateh’s relationship with his daughter is at the heart of the show. Crane is at his strongest in his powerful number in response to a threat against his daughter in Act I.” Berkshire On Stage
“J. Anthony Crane as Tateh was especially effective in his scenes as the struggling, frequently despondent immigrant who later finds a new life in ways he had not imagined.” New England Travels
“J. Anthony Crane is even more moving as Tateh, an immigrant who desperately wants a better life for his daughter. He too endures much but keeps his faith and creates a future for himself and his angel.” Pittsfield Gazette
Cyrano
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
By Michael Hollinger and Aaron Posner
Directed by Michael Kelley
Bay Area Critics Circle Nomination for Best Lead Performance
"J. Anthony Crane is a terrific Cyrano — proudly anti-social and arrogant, with a tough exterior masking a delicate interior. The rapport between him and Chad Deverman as a charmingly tongue-tied Christian (“I don’t have a way with words,” he confesses, to which Cyrano responds, wryly, “Which is all I have”) is perfectly calibrated." SF Examiner
"Crane is exquisite as Cyrano, from his prose delivery to his tenderness both with Rietkerk and with Deverman. In a nice touch, he also accompanies himself on guitar at appropriate moments in the story..." A Good Reed Review
"...the proud, quixotic Cyrano, played with gusto by J. Anthony Crane, is offended by a beribboned fop called De Valvert (Kit Wilder). Rather than simply cross swords with the man, Cyrano challenges him to a duel and promises to compose a Shakespearean sonnet while he fights.
It’s a wonderfully entertaining scene, mostly because Crane wields his sword and his words with such — and here’s a word said to be popularized by Rostand — panache..." SF Gate
"Crane perfectly straddles the line between elegance and swagger, giving Cyrano a gravitas that elevates the piece. He is entirely believable as a poet as well as a hero, a man whose fatal flaw is integrity in a tawdry world. He also gilds the rambunctious ballad of the Gascony Guard with guts and grit." Times Standard News
"Anthony Crane, a New York actor, is an inspired choice for Cyrano. He gives the audience insight into the breadth and depth of his character with a perfect blend of anguish and courage. His voice soars especially in the opening scene about his long nose. (“My nose precedes me by a quarter of an hour. When it bleeds, it’s the red sea” He delivers these zingers about the nose with the split-second timing of a standup comic) . He plays the role like a somewhat juvenile delinquent." For All Events
"The only one who stands alone is the title character — as he has since 1897 when he first trod the boards — a little larger than life and masterfully portrayed here by J. Anthony Crane. Swordsman, poet, wit and would-be lover, he goes his way with bravado, occasional hesitation, intelligence and, at the end, a touch of pathos, sweeping the audience along with him." Culture Vulture Culture
"Here's the central fact about the TheatreWorks production of "Cyrano": J. Anthony Crane is a great Cyrano.
He has the swaggering athleticism and sure-handed mastery of the sword needed for the professional soldier, a deep gift for delivering poetry and communicating his love for the fair Roxane, and his comic timing is excellent." Reading Arts.Com
Disgraced
Goodman Theater (Chicago), Berkeley Repertory Theater, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Mark Taper Forum (LA)
By Ayad Akhtar
Directed by Kimberly Senior
"The cast is quite simply superb at traversing these tumultuous waters. Crane and Young go well beyond sounding boards for the issues at hand and are forces of nature in their own right. Crane brings in some gorgeously nuanced layers to his character and Young brings a ton of confidence and presence to her role" Broadway World Seattle
"Crane likewise takes Isaac beyond what could, in different hands, be a slimy character. The dinner party is a careful dance that takes the characters from superficial friendship to much darker territory. All four performers expertly negotiate this minefield." TheaterMania.Com
The solid ensemble is led by Dhillon, who succeeds in the difficult task of showing glimpses of fury behind a façade of control and poise...Likewise, Crane delivers a sharp performance as Isaac. His tone and mannerisms make increasing sense as the story unfolds. LA Downtown News
"Her cast here gets every note right, even as the stereotypes and smears swirl into a threatening storm. Time Out Chicago
"Crane and Young are utterly believable as a long-married couple, a match of intelligence and wit, with the subtle looks, inside jokes and snark common to those who have an intimate knowledge of one another. When secrets are revealed, feelings confessed and battles fought, the cast’s crackling energy carries through to the back row of the Albert." Chicago Theater Beat
"The pitch-perfect cast keeps the drama from becoming abstract. Crane nicely balances Isaac’s sanity with smugness. This contrarian is the ideal theatrical foil for Amir — indeed, he’s a mirror image every bit as overbearing and unyielding..." Los Angeles Times
"Opposite them, J Anthony Crane as Isaac and Karen Pittman as Jory dexterously ply their dramaturgic oars through the rapids of Amir’s plunge." Los Angeles Daily News
The Lion King
First National Tour
Directed by Julie Taylor
"Although only J. Anthony Crane's hilariously mean performance as Scar qualifies as a standout performance among the principal roles, this is a vocally capable cast." The Baltimore Sun
"J. Anthony Crane rivals Jeremy Irons' droll sarcasm as Scar, and his physicality makes the most of his outstanding costume; watch as he shifts to and from his mask at Scar's most predatory moments."
"As the iniquitous, throne-usurping brother Scar, J. Anthony Crane is marvelously convincing. His is the strongest, most convincing “creature” in the pride of lions. In addition to earning one of the most effective costumes on stage, Crane somehow makes a British accent add venom to his villainous, fratricidal character. The audience cheers his death." Rock River Times
"But all the material gets a boost from the current cast's talent and energy.
J. Anthony Crane invests Scar with crispness, bite and threatening presence."
"J. Anthony Crane as Scar is every inch the villain you love to hate. The educated, mellow tones of his speaking voice barely hide the contempt beneath." Talkin Broadway Miami
"Though The Lion King is much more spectacular than dramatic, there are some stand-out actors in the cast. As Scar, J. Anthony Crane – a Minneapolis native to boot – delivers all the delicious cynicism you could ask for from a villain."
Watch On The Rhine
Arena Stage (Washington D.C.)
By Lillian Hellman
Directed by Jackie Maxwell
The piece’s convenient villain, a Romanian count played to the dastardly hilt by J Anthony Crane, is, as luck would have it, enjoying the hospitality of Fanny’s household as well. His cultured Continental accent, the universal sign of malevolent intent, guarantees a surfeit of intrigue on the Potomac. - Washington Post
The actors who play Kurt the Hero (Andrew Long) and Teck the Villain (J. Anthony Crane) also excel at their respective roles as self-righteous political outsider and greedy nihilist - The DCist
Crane is especially good as the villain of the piece; an unctuous racketeer, simultaneously clenched and debonair throughout, his portrayal is a delectable creation. DC Theatre Scene
Kurt faces threats on his life, not only from Nazis but from a scoundrel houseguest, Teck De Brancovis (J Anthony Crane) ... Crane does villainy vividly - DC Metro Theater Arts
J. Anthony Crane makes a perfect De Brancovis, with his sinister and threatening demeanor. - Theatermania
The irascible villain (J Anthony Crane) mustached Romanian count Teck De Bancovis is both wicked and manipulative. He cruelly manhandles his American wife Marthe (Natalia Payne) and looks greedily at the wealth of the extended Farrelly family as a chance to regain his lost European fortunes. - Edge Media Network
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Wynn Las Vegas/Broadway
by Eric Idle and John Du Prez
directed by Mike Nichols
"J. Anthony Crane also has huge expectations to overcome from people who saw and heard Hank Azaria play Sir Lancelot, The French Taunter and the Knight of Ni, in the original. But he does it with aplomb."
"...before he finds romance with the “turned” Sir Lancelot (J. Anthony Crane, also a world-class successor to Hank Azaria)"
50 Words
by Michael Weller
Contemporary American Theatre Festival
Directed by Ed Herendeen
"...we have two superb professionals here. Crane beautifully captures Adam’s seductive charm, his little-boy sweetness, his engaging humor - and when the dark moments come, he does not turn Crane into someone else, but has him be exactly the same man." DC Theatre Scene
"Parsons plays a frustrated former dancer wedded to an architect (the seductively roguish Anthony Crane). Crane and Parsons excel at packing subtext into every line or gesture: The flinging of a wine cork onto a table (Klingelhoefer crafted the yuppie-kitchen set), or a remark about the dishes to be used for Chinese takeout, can pack the violence of a bayonet thrust." The Washington Post
"Mr. Crane plays Adam as a brilliant, clowning artist who builds things but also dismantles them.”
Sight Unseen
Old Globe Theatre (San Diego)
by Donald Margulies
Directed by Esther Emery
"Anthony Crane thoroughly owns the role of Jonathan the artist. He played the part on Broadway, and acts with a confidence and smoothness that seems absolutely real."
"The show is particularly well cast. Crane’s Jonathan is handsome, well spoken and defensive about his artistic (and romantic) sellout, his ambivalence and guilt brilliantly portrayed."
"In truth Jonathan displays mostly probity and honor in his dealings with others, while vigorously defending his methodology and intent. The remarkably intelligent and charismatic Crane is quite persuasive in so doing."
"Such is not the case here, for making their debuts at the Globe are two well-matched actors. Anthony Crane, who understudied the role in that Broadway production, here takes on Jonathan with all of his ambiguities -- devoted son or heartless boyfriend? visionary artist or first-rate sellout? -- intact. That he is able to leave Nick and Patricia's with the thing he came for -- the tangible one, at least -- without arousing an audience's scorn speaks volumes about Margulies's elegant construction, not to mention Mr. Crane's ability to evoke sympathy without overdoing it."
The Beat Generation
Merrimack Repertory
By Jack Kerouac
Directed by Charles Towers
"Merrimack‘s cast, especially stars Tony Crane and Joey Collins, obviously relish this opportunity to portray Kerouac (who died at age 47 of an abdominal hemorrhage in 1969) and his equally famous cohorts, fictitiously identified here."
Lost in Yonkers
Paper Mill Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse
By Neil Simon
Directed by Michael Bloom
"Louie, played with great heart and energy by Anthony Crane, is a gangster whose moxie is compromised by a moral compass instilled through years of his mother's cold yet calculated child rearing. Cleveland News-Herald"
"...gangster uncle, played with wonderful cockiness by J. Anthony Crane in the evening's showiest turn."
"...actor Anthony Crane manages to inject some realism into Uncle Louie, a Bogart-wannabe bag man, a role that can easily lapse into caricature."
The Odd Couple
Dallas Theatre Center
By Neil Simon
Directed by Kevin Moriarty
"As Oscar, J. Anthony Crane’s biceps might belie his character’s famous penchant for laziness, but his laid-back delivery and stereotypically real-man attitude about housekeeping never feel overdone."
"J. Anthony Crane makes the messy Oscar more roguishly attractive than usual, and he never oversells the character’s disgruntled quips."
"Crane, more hunky than you’ve seen with actors in this role, is the perfect comic yin to Mastro’s yang."
"Throughout, we believe both performers moment to moment, even when they risk going over the top to keep the show hopping. The final scene of reconciliation can feel sentimental in lesser hands, but an audience can believe in the depth of Felix and Oscar’s friendship when the roles are played this well."
"J. Anthony Crane took a new spin to the slovenly and traditionally abrasive Oscar Madison. Don't get me wrong. Slovenly is still there in abundance. But this Oscar was far more human and real than has traditionally been done. Crane lent a depth to Oscar without sacrificing the wit of Simon's script. The advantage of the intimate venue created through this innovative staging was demonstrated through Crane's acting. Every facial expression, posture shift and comic reaction could be seen in detail. It took something special to be able to exercise perfect comic timing yet maintain the depth of Oscar's tragic situation. Thankfully, Crane possessed that something special. He transitioned from verbally sparring with his poker-playing friends to the bitter sweetness of an estranged father on the phone quickly and beautifully."
"In Dallas Theater Center's production of Neil Simon's ever-delightful comedy The Odd Couple, director Kevin Moriarty has cast handsome New York actor J. Anthony Crane as the messy one. Smart twist. We go in expecting a Walter Matthau or a Jack Klugman and we get a Jon Hamm.
How good-looking is he? Let's just say that unlike roommate Felix Ungar, if you were this Oscar Madison's co-habitee, you probably wouldn't mind all that much if he never washed the dishes. Because he is a dish. That Crane is also a damn fine comic actor is icing on the beefcake. Close your eyes and he sounds a little like Matthau when he says, "Murray, I'll give you two hundred dollars for your gun." But if you do that, you won't be able to see him. And you'll enjoy looking at J. Anthony Crane, even with that backward baseball cap on his head and his square jaws dusted by an all-day five o'clock shadow."
The Music Man
Theatre Under The Stars
By Meredith Willson
Directed by Bruce Lumpkin
"However, his commitment to realism was evident and worked in some of the scenes. The romantic moments with Harold Hill (J. Anthony Crane) and Marian Paroo (Sara Jean Ford) were beautiful and authentic. From the gentle touch of her hand to her restrained reactions, the chemistry between these two actors was perfect."
