Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...The improv shows up unusually late in a show (a bit too late for a show that's a hair long) but Newsome showboats deliciously in an eleventh-hour set-up that requires her to verbalize at top speed and pitch, barely one second after getting a suggestion. That's another sign of Napier, a guy who long has worked out his various demons on this stage but figured out early on what makes the paying customers - and on Thursday night, that included a bunch of party guys all wearing the same bowling shirts - enjoy a good night out."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...I had high hopes for The Second City's new mainstage show, "Depraved New World," whose title riffs on Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," the eerily prescient futuristic 1932 novel. But the company's 102nd revue, under the direction of Mick Napier (with fine music direction by Jesse Case), turns out to be disappointingly sophomoric, despite the impressive physicality of many in its six-person cast."
Chicago Stage Review - Recommended
"...Depraved New World is consistently funny. This solid ensemble, led by the antics of John Hartman and Mike Kosinski, may not be groundbreaking or particularly edgy, but it will surely warm you up with laughter and kick the last of your seasonal affective disorder right in the polar vortex."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Dark thoughts, insecurity and regrets may seem like particularly bleak material to base a sketch comedy show around, but their universality makes them strong subjects. Placed in the hands of the extremely talented cast performing on The Second City's main stage, Depraved New World offers some huge laughs along with surprisingly touching moments."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...No matter how many times you go the The Second City even if it your first visit, you'll be impressed with slick organization of both the drinks and food as well as the tight quality control and sheer theatricality of their revues. The Second City continues to one of the finest entertainment venues in Chicago. For a two hour comedy revue ticket starting at $23, their shows are a value. Go there and have some fun!"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Traditions! In Chicago, when it comes to comic revues, Second City is the name that everyone recognizes. How many of "our" performers, yes, Chicago's performers have gone on to higher things? The numbers are always increasing because Second City is indeed a training ground for the bright, energetic performers who treat "Improv" as true theater. Their latest production, their 102nd revue! called "Depraved New World" which delves into the question "ever wonder what people are thinking?"."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The revamped ensemble has the potential to be one of the best Second City casts ever. All the performers have distinct personalities and they can all act. They can also sing well. This is the most musical group I can remember. The show would profit from a couple of real home run sketches, preferably on an edgy current events theme to balance out the surreal flavor of a lot of the current material. But the versatility and comic skills of the cast trump any quibbles about occasional less than A list sketches."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...In the second half of the show, the cast prove why The Second City is first in comedy. DEPRAVED OF THE NEW WORLD interacts with the audience. The improvised set is impressive feats of quick wit. In one segment, Newsome exhaustingly chatters about guacamole. Another stint has Devantez and Kosinski interrogating an audience member. Their grilling is spontaneous and specific to the victim. It's just all so damn clever! The show is an amusing mix of rehearsed and improv-ed originality."
