Selected Reviews from High School Musical

"Elana Ernst earns boos and hisses as teen diva and drama queen Sharpay"
-Colin Douglas, Centerstage

"I am a true believer that the ensemble is an important part of making the show the best that it can be and this one is super."
-Alan Bresloff, Steadstyle Chicago

Selected Reviews from The Hundred Dresses

"Here’s a show that offers the young people of Chicago an experience comparable in ambition, professionalism and, crucially, ambience to the city’s established adult institutions."
- Chris Jones- Chicago Tribune

"The Chicago Children's Theatre might just have its biggest hit to date with its altogether-beguiling world premiere production of "The Hundred Dresses." Along for the ride in this high-energy yet subtly limned show -- which can be as goofily comic as it is morally challenging -- is a zesty cast of characters. They include Elana Ernst as Cecile, the hilariously overeager dancer..."
- Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times

" I loved this production as much as my kids did. I loved the energy of the top-notch cast..."
- Judy Sutton, Time Out Chicago

"Elana Ernst and Tyler Ravelson provide great comic relief as two of Wanda’s goofy classmates; Ernst as hilariously airheaded diva Cecile."
- Oliver Sava, Chicago Theatre Blog

Selected Reviews from Romeo & Juliet

"As the smitten Romeo and his beloved Juliet, the marvelous team of Jordan Coughtry and Elana Ernst meticulously evolve as the winds of fate challenge their love. The balcony scene is certainly a standout (marvel at Ernst's ability to make her lines leap forth with chatty contemporary ease)..."
-Russell Florence Jr., Dayton City Paper

"Jordan Coughtry captures the callow impetuosity and poetic strength of Romeo's youthful ardor with gallant ease, while CCM grad Elana Ernst matches him with a girlish wisdom just beginning to blossom from immaturity. Their chemistry is palpable and moving, transcending the patent idiocy of love at first sight." -Dayton Daily News

Selected Reviews from The Tempest

"Elana Ernst’s Miranda exuded young love"
- Tom Williams, Chicago Critic

"Matthew Pierce and Elana Ernst make a lively pair of naïve young lovers"
- Joe Stead, Steadstyle Chicago

"The budding romance between Elana Ernst's smart and sweet Miranda and
Matthew Pierce's somewhat self-satisfied Ferdinand is convincing"
- Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune

"The scene where Prospero (Aaron H. Alpern) warns suitor Ferdinand (Matthew
Pierce) against untying the “virgin-knot” of his beloved daughter Miranda
(a winsome Elana Ernst), is among the sweetest, most endearing moments in
First Folio Shakespeare Festival’s charming production."
- Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald

Selected Review from Bye Bye Birdie

"Tom Murray's musical direction is polished, and the ensemble (most notably the clarion-voiced Elana Ernst and the hip-wiggling Laura Scheinbaum) is tireless."
- Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

Selected Review from Quills

"Elana Ernst brought to life the hapless Madeleine, a young woman with a bit of spark but who also knew her limitations and feared the consequences. Her naivete and the manner in which she interacted with De Sade made his breakdown when he learns of her horrifying murder all the more surprising and painful."
- Rick Pender, Citybeat