Double Trouble Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...For sure, "Double Trouble," wherein the Aguilars transform themselves into the composing brothers, as well as the mogul hiring and/or firing them, an ancient sound guy, and an array of other agents, interns and floozies, has its pleasures. One line, wherein one Aguilar is about to kiss the other, only to sudden declare it "feels so wrong," had me chortling merrily. And there are other decent yuks. But Matthew Crowle's production falls into a trap common with this kind of fare: the individual scenes are allowed to overshadow the overall arc of the show. The Walton brothers built in some tension to the story - will the songwriters come up with a hit song before they get fired? - but even that level of artificial suspense seems to dissipate here. In other words, "Double Trouble" not only needs to move much more quickly than was the case on Tuesday night, when there were indulgences in the pausing, but it needs some actual, macro stakes if it's to hang together as a coherent evening - and not just a bunch of amusing single-scene tricks from fine actors whose best work is still ahead."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...As it happens, "Double Trouble" is the creation of two brothers - composer-lyricists Bob Walton and Jim Walton - who clearly share a taste for malapropisms, and have spun a wacky tale of how a pair of competitive but loving brothers join forces for success, but are almost undone by Rebecca - one of those vampy types of the old studio days - who, at various moments, is portrayed by each of the Aguilars."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Among the dramatis personae: a deaf sound engineer, a hyperactive agent, a gruff studio head, a nerdy intern, a secretary with a yen for cold sesame noodles, and a steamy, if burly, femme fatale. The sexual politics are a tad retrograde, the music is undistinguished pastiche, and the jokes are studiously cornball (the sound engineer and his wife divorced after a 75-year marriage because they were waiting for the kids to die), yet the Aguilars keep things fun. They've got great presence, an endearing dynamic, good chops, and apparently no shame at all. Adrian makes a small masterpiece of the agent, though Alexander does a better woman. Mom, the lessons paid off."

Windy City Times - Highly Recommended

"...First, the action is paced leisurely enough for us to enjoy the Walton brothers' screwball plot, involving-whattaya know?-a pair of likewise songwriting brothers seeking their fortunes in Hollywood, portrayed by-you guessed it!-actual singing-dancing brothers Adrian and Alexander Aguilar. Second, the small stage combines with Jeffrey D. Kmiec's compact set, Alexia Rutherford's prosthetic costumes, Jack Hawkins' pre-recorded dialogue-bites, William Kirkham's 1930s-vintage electrical devices and a squad of body-doubles to facilitate the Aguilars' switcheroos without either one ever breaking a sweat or scrambling the vocal boundaries of their characters (a roster encompassing gravel-throated producers, purring vamps, effete directors, smartcracking secretaries, adenoidal interns, schmoozy agents and geriatric technicians)."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...What an exciting inauguration for Porchlight's 19th season of quality musical theatre! Bob and Jim Walton, real-life brothers who know Broadway first-hand, crafted this high octane two-actor tribute to Hollywood's Golden Era for themselves. Credit Artistic Director extraordinaire, Michael Weber, for bringing this rollicking musical farce to Chicago and employing the super, multitalented Matthew Crowle to direct and choreograph this fast-paced piece, and brilliant Linda Madonia to musical direct. In addition, the very gifted Aguilar brothers, Adrian and Alexander, both Broadway caliber triple threats, take on the roles of Bobby and Jimmy Walton, as well as a troupe of other quirky characters."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Double Trouble fudges by using extra actors backstage, dolled up in the additional characters' costumes and appearing behind frosted glass or with their faces otherwise hidden. There are also lots of prerecorded lines to allow the Aguilars to speak as offstage characters while they're playing another in front of us. Silly as it may sound, this all feels a bit like cheating, offering neither the thrilling practical challenges of the quick changes nor the quicksilver theatrical exhilaration of seeing a performer morph in front of our eyes. (And if the recorded lines ever had a chance of working, the less-than-ideal sound design in Porchlight's production blows it.) I'd love to see Adrian and Alexander in a two-seater vehicle that could really double down on their abilities, but this one is more trouble than it's worth."

Chicago Theatre Addict - Somewhat Recommended

"...Yes, Double Trouble is a charming and creaky (sometimes noisily so) two-hander musical comedy that celebrates sibling revelry. A labor of love by brother duo Bob and Jim Walton, Porchlight’s snappy production features winning performances from Adrian and Alexander Aguilar — each accomplished musical actors who steadily work across the city."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...Double Trouble's silly fluff is not about how to write a hit song in record time, as it seems from the pell-mell premise. Almost manic with sunny optimism, the Walton brothers' confection is mostly concerned with creating complications in which groaner jokes and ancient puns are only justified by the bravura turns and wizard timing of two brilliant brothers. The Aguilars deliver the delightful dejà vu with aplomb, hoofing their way into our hearts with the tap-dancing finale "Back to Old Broadway," or erupting into a cross-dressing jitterbug with "Gotcha!," the song they hope will give them glory. It doesn't, but a twist ending does."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...Filled with a wacky plot with a few mild surprises, Double Trouble is 2 hours of fun. Among the fine productions values , are the black and white video design (by Chris Gekas) that sets up an old-time white tie and tales top hat with cane tap numbers reminiscent of a Fred Astaire routine. A fitting ending to a fine show. The brothers Aguilar could become co-winners of a Jeff Award for their fantastic performance. Double Trouble is truly a double your pleasure and double your fun night at the theatre. Kudos to Porchlight Theatre for selecting and casting this worthy show. It is pure fun!"

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended

"...DOUBLE TROUBLE is more like octuple mayhem. The Aguilars make this show a must see. On an adorable scale of 1 to 10, it's a 15! And be warned, this may be your last chance to see Adrian on his hometown stage. He's heads off to NYC to rehearse a musical version of the movie "Rocky" in early 2014."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...Porchlight Music Theatre has been one of Chicago's finest stepping stones for young actors, who love musical theater , for many years. Most of teh shows they have presented have been large scale musicals, using one or two Equity actors and a slew of some of Chicago's finest young hopefuls ( who as the years mount up, become names and talents that hit other area stages) in their current production, the Chicago premiere of "Double Trouble", a new musical written by two brothers ( Bob and Jim Walton) about two brothers, Jimmy and Bobby and are played by two brothers, Adrian and Alexander Aguilar. How about that. The story in this zany 1940′s musical is about the brothers , Jimmy ( Adrian Aguilar) and Bobby ( Alexander Aguilar) who have been brought to Hollywood to write a hit song for a new movie musical. The year is 1941 and these two brothers have just a short time to satisfy the studio head. This could change their lives."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...The direction of Matthew Crowle is what I find particularly admirable about Double Trouble. Crowle intelligently combines the classic root of the show's nature with a few modernizations, such as adding in a film clip of a Starbucks storefront, which brings a hint of Mel Brooks' farcical fashion to the show. Though Double Trouble is full of gag after gag, nothing is cheap about the laughter."