Directing Reviews:
Director Lawrence Lesher starts with an abundantly talented cast and puts them through The Foreigner obstacle course. Comedy is not always a result of a funny script, although Shue certainly delivers one. It's also a result of careful comedic timing and physical gestures. Lesher perfectly punctuates the script with precise timing and flashy physical comedy. There were times during the first act when the audience was actually stepping on lines because they couldn't stop laughing. (Bill Wheeler, Colorado Springs Independent on "The Foreigner" at Thin Air Theatre Company)
[Rounding Third] is the first in SLO Repertory's inaugural season as a professional theater to employ an entire cast and director from outside of the Central Coast area. The East Coast crew is headed up by director Lawrence Lesher...
These guys have theater chops, and it shows. When you go to a play that's essentially two actors talking to each other, you know it's either going to be really good or really, really bad. Luckily Rounding Third is the former...
If Rounding Third were a movie, I doubt it would need a sequel. Make no mistake, problems haven't magically disappeared for either Don or Michael, but through a season of coaching in the midst of messy lives, they come out feeling better prepared to take it all on. And if that's not a home run, I don't know what it is. ( Ryah Cooley, San Luis Obispo New Times)
These guys have theater chops, and it shows. When you go to a play that's essentially two actors talking to each other, you know it's either going to be really good or really, really bad. Luckily Rounding Third is the former...
If Rounding Third were a movie, I doubt it would need a sequel. Make no mistake, problems haven't magically disappeared for either Don or Michael, but through a season of coaching in the midst of messy lives, they come out feeling better prepared to take it all on. And if that's not a home run, I don't know what it is. ( Ryah Cooley, San Luis Obispo New Times)
Selecting Lawrence Lesher to direct was the first good decision. Regular patrons of Millbrook Playhouse know Lawrence as an actor. Remember hims as Saunders in Lend Me A Tenor? It is nice to know that he has the directorial touch to do fast moving comedy as well. The pacing is crucial to this show. (Pat Park, P.O.V., on "The 39 Steps" at Millbrook Playhouse)
Director Lawrence Lesher, an actor and director based in New York City, deftly orchestrates the zany antics of a talented cast... (Donna Kelly, Lakeland Ledger, on "Caught in the Net" at Theatre Winter Haven)
The Asphalt Christmas is happy to simply do one thing extremely well: give the audience a rip-roarin' fun and funny evening. I highly recommend it for anyone who is od'ing on Christmas Spirit in any form...The enterprise is directed by Lawrence Lesher with economy and spunk...The Asphalt Christmas is my pick for this holiday season. (Martin Denton, nytheatre.com on "The Asphalt Christmas")
Joy was what I felt as I left the Studio Theatre at Theatre Row Studios last evening after attending a performance of Mr. Michael’s riotous production that featured all of that and much more including imaginative staging and direction from Lawrence Lesher, a funny and sharp script by Mr. Michael and a team of professional performers who play every moment, comic or otherwise, for all its worth. Michael’s script is brought to life by veteran comedy director Lesher, who keeps the laughs coming for the entire 80 minute production, which zips along, but never feels forced or rushed. He also keeps the comedy/farce grounded in reality, which only adds to the humor and at times, downright lunacy. Lesher also managed to incorporate (with hilarious results) the famous head spinning scene from The Exorcist that had me and many others rolling in the aisles. It was one of many ingenious visual treats incorporated into the production...Lesher also scores big because of his casting and his team of actors, across the board, are fantastic, each investing their roles (several actors play 3-4 different roles) with variety, energy and imagination. (Nicky Howard, authspot.com on "The Asphalt Christmas")
The production was directed with precision and flair by Lawrence Lesher, who proved with this outing that he is not afraid to go the outrageous route, as evidenced by his staging which integrated Linda Blair style head spinning, a pigeon on a stick for an amusing bit late in the play and many more visual treats that you would have to see for yourself to enjoy...Playwright Mr. Michael and Director Mr. Lesher have given us a sharp and detailed parody production, with many of the scenes sparkling with the fire of the early Warner Brothers pictures that made Cagney and Bogart stars. Mr. Lesher did an exemplary job of keeping all of the scenes moving at a solid pace. (Pamela Huxtable, nyctheaterluvah.quazen.com on "The Asphalt Christmas")
"The Asphalt Christmas" is a play written by Todd Michael and directed by Lawrence Lesher. For a true theatrical treat, turn off “A Christmas Carol”, throw on your favorite reindeer sweater, and head down to Theatre Row to let “the power of Christmas compel you”. For holiday laughs like these, we’re quite sure Tiny Tim will understand. (Jessica Tiare Bowen, Usedyorkcity.com on "The Asphalt Christmas")
The whole affair is seamlessly directed by Lawrence Lesher, who keeps things moving along at a break neck pace. Mr. Lesher is also to be commended for employing many wonderful visual bits into the production that called to mind comparisons to the theatrical productions The 39 Steps and Greater Tuna, specifically the classic head spinning scene from The Exorcist, as well some amusing bits involving a bird on a stick that taunts actor Timothy J. Cox. (Emily Cole, Quazen.com on "The Asphalt Christmas")
"What follows is a potent mixture of madcap comedy and smoldering menace, and director Lawrence Lesher deserves high praise for striking all the right notes...Lawrence Lesher's direction was crisp and there were a number of high-spirited performances from an impressive supporting cast." (Hannah Marie Ellison, Blogcritics.com on "Arsenic & Old Lace")
"Director Lawrence Lesher gives the show a quick pace, never letting the action seem as stagnant as half-a-dozen people in a room in a cave could be." (Rich Copley, Lexington Herald-Leader on "Death By Darkness")
"Under Lawrence Lesher's efficient direction, this production pops" (Amy Krivohlavek, Offoffonline.com on "Picasso at the Lapin Agile")
"...the fast pace works to keep the laughs coming and the plot developing, so you’re interested and engaged the whole time. It’s a good thing “Run for Your Wife” didn’t last any longer than it did, because I’m not sure I could have taken another laugh without waking up sore in the morning." (Ben Kleppinger, Danville Advocate Messenger on "Run For Your Wife")
"Lesher chose well, both in cast and script, and put together one of the funnier shows in this year's [Orlando] Fringe Fest." (Carl F. Gauze, Ink19 on "Four Men & Their Testosterone: A Love Story")
"Ingeniously crafted and superbly executed, the murder-mystery is among the best works I’ve seen, not just on the outdoor stage but on any stage, really....This is quite simply a top-notch production. With all elements adding up to a truly memorable night at the playhouse, “Death By Darkness” is one cave I highly recommend you wander into." (Charlie Cox, Danville Advocate Messenger on "Death By Darkness"
"Bachelor Holiday" continues Lesher's manipulative frenzy...Both are well cast and worth a visit." (Carl F. Gauze, Ink19 on "Nobody Likes Tomfoolery")
"The cast is nothing short of exceptional, and - dare I say? - the best I've seen at any Pioneer Playhouse production." (Charlie Cox, Danville Advocate Messenger on "The Servant of Two Masters")
"We thank him, not only for his performance but for his excellent direction." (Karen Elias, Lock Haven Express on "Misery")