Press

as Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie

“The lead belongs to Steele, who delivers a magnificent rendition of Amanda.”
–Broadway World

“Steele gives an ebullient and memorable performance as the domineering matriarch of the family. . . .beautifully captures the formidable will of the mother.”
–Theatre Criticism, WYES

as Virginia Drew in Hands on a Hardbody

. . .packed to the bumpers with stellar, deeply committed Chicago actors. . .
–Chicago Tribune

. . .”Alone with Me”, sung with the excellent Judy Lea Steele, . .is heartbreaking. . .”
-Chicago Theatre Review

As Geena in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City

"Both Thalken and Steele - each in tricky roles - are superb.
-Chicago Tribune

"Steele only has a few lines, but they're memorably delivered with letter-perfect comic timing. 
-Chicago Theatre Beat

as Marcie in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City

". . .captures the character's sharp tongue and caustic sense of humor without losing her humanity”. 
- Splash Magazines

as Cassandra in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike

". . .brings the house down. . .", ". . .some delicious, almost Carol Burnett-style comedy." 
- Chicago Theatre and Arts

"I loved every second she was on stage, and I think she felt the same way." 
- Around the Town Chicago

". . .creates another exciting, larger-than-life characterization. . .",     
". . .makes this hilarious character. . .one of the standouts of this production" 
- Chicago Theatre Review

as Julia Price in The Old Friends

"What The Old Friends has going for it. . .in spades: Divas that can shatter glass with their ferocity.  Joann Montemurro and Judy Lea Steele unleash a reign of drunken terror on their cohorts. . .chewing up everyone in their path." 
- Theatre by the Numbers

"Michael Menendian's direction of an all star ensemble. . .makes it all enjoyable." 
- Windy City Times

as Silda Grauman in Other Desert Cities

“Providing much of the play’s humor, Ms. Steele plays this outspoken, feisty woman with confidence and ease.”
– Chicago Theatre Review

“Judy Lea Steele nails the acerbic Silda as well as the acquiescent one.”
– North Shore Weekend Magazine

as Nellie Cross in Peyton Place

“Best of all is Judy Lea Steele as the tough, and very New Englander abused wife Nellie Cross.  She comes off believably rural and working class in a mixture that feels entirely original.” 
– Chicago Theater Beat

“The really hard-hitting drama of the story, the cries and pleas that made it so shocking come back full blast through Judy Lea Steele performing the most challenging role, as Nellie, the angry, powerless housewife. . .Nellie’s pain is palpable. . .”
– Theatre World

as The Storyteller in Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson

“Judy Lea Steele brings the laughs as the motorized scooter-bound modern narrator.” – Broadway World

“. . .a shout-out for. . .Judy Lea Steele for her eccentric and tenacious Storyteller” 
– LA Splash

“. . .steals every scene. . .as does Judy Lea Steele as the roving storyteller”
- ShowBizQ