Q Brothers Christmas Carol Reviews
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...If there is any show that you should catch this Christmas/holiday season, this is the one! "Q Brothers Christmas Carol" is a fresh, new take on Charles Dickens' classic story "A Christmas Carol." The story hits the fine balance of being a spoof of the original while it also crafts its own unique message about social inequities in America today. The brilliant fusing of the ghost of Jacob Marley (Scrooge's former business partner) with the ghost of Bob Marley (together with his reggae music, dreads, and Rastafarianism) becomes the nucleus for the entire tale."
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
"...This is an enterprising, energetic production that delivers brilliant, clever wordplay, refreshing new musical numbers and exuberant dance breaks. With its captivating performances, abundance of energy and creativity and a unique chemistry with the audience, every performance is uniquely special. If theatergoers aren't thrilled by this exciting, enjoyable production, as Scrooge would say, "You can Chris-my-ass-miss!"Highly Recommended"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre- Highly Recommended
"...The Q Brothers' knack for reimagination is fueled by their innate draw to and talent for improvisation. With three out of five cast members also performing with The Rap Pack, a comedic hip-hop group based out of Chicago, it's obvious why the production feels so freestyle. At unsuspecting points throughout the show, cast members draw attention to the fact that they've been improvising, which comes at a shock to audience members who've been watching them fly through the eighty-minute run time. This freedom of play is also apparent in the score's genre-fluid sonic choices; mixing everything from reggae to dancehall to epic rock ballads."
Third Coast Review- Highly Recommended
"...Q Brothers Christmas Carol is a fun take on the dystopian side of capitalism just like the original. The show is now a Chicago tradition of farce, slapstick, and ribaldry with a surreal Schoolhouse Rock vibe. As a person who owns an original Rapper's Delight on vinyl, I give all props to the Q Brothers ensemble and creators. This Christmas Carol gives homage and some deeply felt respect for the many genres and cultural contributions of what we call hip-hop music. I recommend this show as some naughty by nature fun for the whole family. Where else are you going to hear portmanteau used in a rap? Make it a new part of your holiday traditions."
Splash Magazine- Highly Recommended
"...It's December, which means countless stage adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol are being produced all over the country. None of them, however, is quite like A Q Brothers Christmas Carol, currently in production, as it has been annually for several years now, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Developed by the Q Brothers Collective, this hip-hop-infused version of the classic Christmas tale is part sendup, part sincere, and all fun."