Amour Reviews

Chicago Reader- Somewhat Recommended

"...But in this production, a Chicago premiere from Black Button Eyes, the show's charm is muted by a rough, uneven cast-some overplay the show's comic moments, while others lack the pipes to bring out the best in Legrand's ear-pleasing tunes. Only Emily Goldberg, playing the object of the hero's affection, sang with the power and confidence required to make the score soar."

Windy City Times- Somewhat Recommended

"...Despite its fragrantly French score, Amour is marred by a libretto full of plot holes ( it is never explained how the media gets a hold of Dusoleil's abilities ) and unnecessary character tangents ( as the socialistic painter played by Tommy Thurston doesn't really need a whole song ). Amour's wistfully mixed ending also probably didn't endear it to Broadway audiences."

Theatre By Numbers- Somewhat Recommended

"...What “Amour” has in spades is whimsy and humor, and I don’t doubt it’s that sensibility that won over director Ed Rutherford and the Black Button Eyes production team, but I hope future productions have the substance and relevance that can truly feed a conscientious audience."

ChicagoCritic- Recommended

"...Hopefully, as the production moves along, the flow will be smoother, the voices will be projected better. Actually, this cast does nice work with Legrand’s tricky score. Nick Sula’s orchestra was tuneful without overwhelming the singers. Amour is a terrific opera filled with magic, humor and loads of romance using a very French story theater influence. At 105 minutes (with intermission), Amour has enough creative moments to be worthy and at $32 it is a engaging bargain. Kudos to Black Button Eyes Productions for attempting such a piece. It sure has its moments!"

Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended

"...Charming, perfectly sweet, entertaining and whimsical, Ed Rutherford’s latest production is pure Summer Magic. The ability to draw the audience into this adult fairy tale must be commended, with much of the credit going to both a superb cast and Nick Sula’s terrific musical direction. Primarily sung-through, this fanciful story, stuffed with hummable music and peppered with clever lyrics and singular rhymes, winningly walks through walls."

Buzznews.net- Highly Recommended

"...And then there is THE VOICE: in this show, it's Emily Goldberg (playing Isabelle). Goldberg has it all: trained, expressive, and Broadway beautiful. (Goldberg, playing musical theater al around town, is certainly Broadway bound, so catch her locally while you can.) Fimoff pairs nicely with Goldberg in their duets, but he cannot match the rest of the troupe's volume when he is not belting."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre- Recommended

"...In short, Amour will have cult appeal, and that’s not such a bad thing for Black Button Eyes, whose mission focuses on seldom seen shows. Lovingly so, director Ed Rutherford, Choreographer Derek Van Barham and Music Director Nick Sula whip the show into fine cream. Their ensemble cast is the sugar, especially Missy Wise as a disarmingly frank prostitute and the aforementioned Zawada, who goes for the hissable and loves it."