Clemente: The Legend of 21 at Stage 773

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...This local premiere, presented jointly through NightBlue Performing Arts Company and New York's ArtoCarpus company and originally produced off-Broadway under the title "DC-7: The Roberto Clemente Story," is a heartfelt and earnest endeavor with some lovely performances. But Caballero's script, which he also directs, tries to touch on too many aspects of Clemente's life, without helping us figure out how he navigated the tricky racial and ethnic prejudices he faced as a son of the barrio from San Anton, Puerto Rico. Though billed as a musical, it's really more a play with music by Harold Gutierrez, and the handful of songs (performed to taped music, rather than a live band) don't really advance the story so much as interrupt it."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Though writer-director Luis Caballero's earnest script is pretty stilted, the bilingual musical benefits from a lilting score (by Caballero and composer Harold Gutierrez), lively dances, and passionate, authentic, charismatic performances by Modesto Lacen and Jonathan Amaro, playing Roberto as a grownup and a teenager respectively; Carlos Miranda as Roberto's brother (the story's narrator); Willie Denton and Xiomara Rodriguez as his parents; Ricardo Puente in a string of colorful supporting roles; and Lorraine Velez, exquisite as his wife. Film footage showing the real Clemente and depicting life in the sugarcane fields of Puerto Rico enhances the story's effect."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...I was so upset at the lack of stage worthy elements, strange directorial decisions, and mid numbing actions that I left the show after the first act for only the third time in over 3,400 show that I’ve reviewed. Be warned that this show is mostly in Spanish and the English parts are harder to understand because of the lack of enunciation – at least the Spanish dialogue has super titles and, thankfully, the terrible songs were not translated. Why Nightblue co-produced this show is a mystery. The great Roberto Clemente deserves a better tribute."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended

"...Clemente: The Legend of 21 could use one more round of edits to fulfill its potential, but there is a lot to recommend it. Luis Caballero shows his understanding of his subject and the valuable impact he had on baseball, and, by extension, American attitudes. Though his reverence bogs down the passion of the music and the exuberant celebration of Clemente and the game he played, it shines through enough to create a vivid and often moving portrait. Baseball fans will appreciate the insights into major league politics and the skills that made Clemente great, while those not familiar with the game will be able to enjoy the portrayal of love, passion and family that allowed Clemente to become great even through adversity."

Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended

"...This production will continue to be a poignant and tender telling of a story for the ages. A man moved to greatness through his natural talents. It shows the the road is may be difficult to fame and notoriety. And, of course, the tragic fate that befell such a beloved figure."