Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...When "Apes of Wrath" is on that track, it works well. And there are some quick thinkers in the cast. At one point Saturday, after asking for a suggestion of "a non-sexual activity you do by yourself," the cast got stuck with the horrific "going to the bathroom," the kind of inane and juvenile idea that can kill improv dead. But Asher Perlman recovered that audience fumble by moving Carisa Barreca's character from flailing in the women's room to making her an invader in the lair of a man. Very smart work from an unselfish player."
Chicago Stage Review - Highly Recommended
"...Razor-sharp Apes of Wrath is a worthy successor to A Clown Car Named Desire on The Second City e.t.c. stage. A superb ensemble — led by Punam Patel, Carisa Barreca, and the amazing Brooke Breit — are not afraid to cut anyone or anything down to size."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...Director Jen Ellison moves six young, attractive zanies through amazing paces, their rubber faces and limber limbs ripe for caricature at the drop of a premise. The spoofery mostly focuses on how, perversely, we sell ourselves short pretending we’re big: We learn the wrong lessons at the right time, the right ones at the wrong time, or both–then repeat them, always expecting a different outcome."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Of course, in all revue, not all the skits work and here a loud ensemble piece about who was going to be fired disintegrates with many laughs. But, I must say this revue, with its manic pace and dedicated brave cast delivers enough wit, unique bits and wonderful wackiness to make this a fun show that is well worth to trip to North and Wells street."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...As always, the Revue is written by the performers: Carisa Barreca, Brooke Breit, Eddie Mujica, Punam Patel, Asher Perlman and Tim Ryder, who truly blend together as a team in this show. They are from various backgrounds and yet, with the exception of one scene which deals with taking the Citizen test ( hysterically handled by Eddie Mujica) there is very little to do with ethnicity. In fact, as usual , the show covers many bases and only in a few rare instances gets the audience involved for either the "improv" or to take the stage. While I find that to be funny, I had no problem with the cleverness of this script and the six talented performers who under the direction of Jen Ellison, kept us laughing from start to end, and even as we were leaving the theater, just thinking about some of the bits brought a smile to my face."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The compatibility of the cast, half of them performing on the e.t.c. stage for the first time, is wondrous. It's too early to predict who is marked for future stardom, but I would nominate Mujica, Barreca, and Breit as likely possibilities, but they are all top flight as comedians, comic actors, and singers (and obviously as writers, having collectively created the entire show). Being an old-time Second City fan, I would have preferred more topical humor, but audiences should be delighted to accept whatever comic pleasures this super talented company has on offer."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...This is one of the strongest casts that I've seen on either stage at Second City and director Jen Ellison handles them with a deft hand, pulling the best out of each. Barreca, Breit and Patel are returning from the most recent e.t.c -the excellent "A Clown Car Named Desire"-and have upped their already impressive games considerably since then, while Mujica, Perlman and Ryder bring an air of newcomers excitement to the mix."
