Biography
Elli is a versatile performer whose talents blend the styles of Zero Mostel, Nathan Lane, Danny Kaye, Robin Williams, and Luciano Pavarotti.
He began his theatrical journey in Los Angeles, working under the direction of the renowned James Rawley and Lee Strasberg. Throughout his career, Elli has portrayed a wide range of roles, including Jud in Oklahoma!, the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, A-rab in West Side Story, Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun, Kralahome in The King and I, and Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls. He has also appeared in productions such as Arsenic and Old Lace, Julius Caesar, Up the Down Staircase, and Our Town, and is set to play Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. His distinctive appearance, adaptable image, and mastery of multiple languages and accents allow him to excel in diverse characters.
For a period, Elli pursued his childhood dream of becoming a Hasidic Orthodox Rabbi and Cantor, leading services and teaching in synagogues across the U.S. and Canada. He has since returned to the stage, lending his rich, multi-accented voice to children's audio tapes, radio, and television commercials in both the U.S. and England.
In November 2002, Elli appeared as a Hasidic Jew extra in the film 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) in Miami, Florida. In April 2003, he was featured as a barfly extra in the independent film Once Upon a Wedding (2005). In January 2003, he played the role of "Papa" during the Florida tour of The Jazz Singer, which performed throughout South and Central Florida.
Since relocating to New York City in 2004, Elli has appeared in commercials, VH1 Metal Month promos, and featured background roles in several films. He has performed on stage at Birdland in Times Square, the Duplex, Marie's Crisis in Greenwich Village, and has showcased his singing and stand-up comedy at The Triad and The Metropolitan Room, where he holds a Guinness World Record for participating in the world's longest cabaret show.
Currently working on his fourth one-man show, Elli has gained popularity on the Florida, New York, and California karaoke circuits, where he is affectionately known as "The King of Broadway."
He is a founding member of the Jewish improv group Improvodox. His film credits from the 2010s include Rob the Mob opposite Michael Pitt and Nina Arianda, The Cobbler starring Adam Sandler, The Pawnbroker in John Wick 2 alongside Keanu Reeves, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Alongside his busy performing career, Elli founded BroadwayKingdom, a platform for reviewing NYC entertainment and interviewing celebrities. He is also a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, actively serving on multiple boards and committees.
Upcoming projects include the 6th Annual Chanukah Show at The Metropolitan Room in NYC in 2018 as part of his "Jewish Holiday Cabaret" series, and "An Evening with the Music of Allan Sherman," also slated for 2018.
