"BRAM LEWIS is a director of rare personal subtlety and multiple technical gifts, which were first honed at London's Central School of Speech and Drama and developed over the next three decades in the heart of New York's vibrant theater world. The melding of Lewis's obvious public charisma with his clear directorial skill -- the magic double-edged sword that defined the Lewis persona -- enabled him (where even such brilliant theatrical minds as Robert Lewis had sadly failed a decade prior) to create a viable theater company that grew and blossomed during a decade in the previously barren theatrical landscape at Purchase. Lewis combined the old-fashioned American impresario's fearless moxie of a Joe Papp with the fine-tuned elegance, knowledge and theatrical depth, lightly seasoned with humor, of England's John Gielgud."

Jacques le Sourd

Gannett Newspapers. And WCBS Radio (WCBS News Radio 88).

​

​

"Bram Lewis is an extremly talented actor, director and drama coach. His long experience in running a theater has given him great insight into what makes an actor tick and what makes a play work in front of an audience. He is refreshingly free from theoretical jargon, and combines a deep understanding of human nature with a great awareness of on actor's means: above all,- he has the knowledge that can sharpen a performer's skill in voice, movement and interpretation of a text."

 

 George Hall, Director of the Acting Course at London's Central School of Speech and Drama 1963 - 1987

​

Dearest Bram....I am so happy about the new theatre.  I love you and wish you Luck with Project Rushmore and the "Madwoman of Chaillot"....wonderful play!!  You are always in my heart- FOREVER! Love Julie xx

Miss Julie Harris

 

"I've been fast friends with the man over thirty years.  He's an ace..."

Tom Fontana,  Emmy award-winning writer/producer  St. Elsewhere, Homicide (life on the street),  HBO's "OZ"

 

"With Bram's encouragement, I wrote my first full-length play for the Phoenix. I endorse him whole-heartedly...."

Michael Patrick King,  writer/producer/director HBO's "Sex and the City"

 

"I love Bram.  He invited me to work at his Phoenix Theatre.  I had a wonderful time. Artistically speaking, I have a home now."

Ellis Rabb,  legendary director and founder of the APA (American Performing Artists)

 

I have seen Bram work with Students, Stars (Elaine Stritch), famed Directors (John Barton), and audiences.  He is whip-smart, knows his stuff and is a first class man of the theatre....

Louis Burke, Artistic Director, Stratford Shakespeare Festival

 

......Time and again, Bram and his Theatre have given us matchless moments of playgoing magic.  I unreservedly support them in their important work....

Helen Hayes  (in a letter of support to the National Endowment)

 

"Beneath the surface calm, Lewis radiates intensity, always questioning, planning, dreaming... 'I think there's a point where someone else thinks the work is done, and the work is never done...It is never, never, never, never done.'
Lewis illustrates three critical factors behind the remarkable success of The Phoenix: His faith in Theater's ability to communicate deeply consequential ideas, his passion for detail, and his perseverance...' There's a part of me that constantly doubts Status Quo. I'm someone who at least likes to test the odds, if not defy them,'...Inspiring... a Master-Builder..... 

-Stuart Miller, Theater Week-

​

"The soft-spoken yet charismatic Artistic Director of The Phoenix Theatre Company took a fledgling summer theater and nurtured it into a formidable regional theater luring top-flight often famous professionals to his stage.Greats like Ellen Burstyn, Julie Harris, Stephen Collins and George Grizzard performed over the years. Lewis also had the courage to mount productions of new and rarely seen p;ays and offered innovative spins on the classics from people like Shakespeare and Ibsen. Devoted Phoenix fans will remember Bram's optimistic, missionary speech that opened every performance: "If you like what you see, TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW! If you don't like what you see, TELL ME!."

-Amy Arkwy, Westchester Weekly