Fool Me Twice, Deja Vu Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Recommended
"..."Fool Me Twice" wants to take risks and it does (there is a scene involving a police officer and a pinata), including some hurriedly written material dealing with recent events in Chicago. And much of this show - which voyages into the future and dares to imagine a President Kanye - is exceptionally fresh and smart. You'll have a great time this holiday season."
Chicago Sun Times- Somewhat Recommended
"...As the revue's title subtly suggests, the organizing premise here is what has changed over the past 25 years, particularly in terms of pop culture. The extended opening sequence (the wittiest element in the show) makes it clear we are getting a time-warped retrospective, with characters living in 1990 wondering what things will be like a quarter of a century later."
Chicago Reader- Somewhat Recommended
"...Naturally, given the theme, the bit comes back later in the show. But otherwise the uncanny sense of events repeating themselves gets only cursory attention over the course of the 25 sketches preceding intermission. It's after the break that the payoff comes. The relatively brief final stretch of Fool Me Twice revisits earlier skits, tweaking a gag here, reversing the point of view there so that, for instance, a vignette involving a Little League batter who'd much rather be auditioning for the school musical returns to us told from the pitcher's perspective. Fool Me Twice is quite literally out to fool us twice with the same material."
Gapers Block- Highly Recommended
"...The entire cast was rolling on press night. At this point in their careers, these guys and gals are the '95-'96 Bulls of The Second City: they know each other, and they're really good at what they do. Chelsea Devantez, Paul Jurewicz and Daniel Strauss, alumni from Bernier's last mainstage revue, are all charismatic and iconic enough for Saturday Night Live. In this show, Devantez is the Michael Jordan of the bunch. She's like an even-more-fearless version of Tina Fey who could totally outdrink you and kick your ass."
Time Out Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...That kind of deja vu might appear to have danger written all over it: You're going to reprise the same jokes we just saw? But Bernier and company are cannier than that-these aren't rinse-and-repeat takes. In some cases, the two versions might be different takes on a physical-comedy pairing that involves Jurewicz sitting on Devantez's lap. Elsewhere, a sharp but simple blackout gag about police brutality leads sideways into a deeper, more thoughtful take on the same hot topic."
ChicagoCritic- Recommended
"...Fool Me Twice becomes truly clever in the second act, when the humor becomes more meta-theatrical. An earlier scene made a possible reference to the large number of plays we've seen about artificial intelligence; following intermission, we see a family age with the parents and children ironically having switched positions. Afterward, we are treated to a parody of a post-performance talk-back, which includes some of the show's most pointed satire, at the expense of the theatre itself, and afforded Scott another opportunity for a brilliant quip."
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...If you have a rough day, and you need a diversion- one that will make you forget all the "crap" that life deals out, there is nothing better for what ails you than Second City. This is the place for comedy and has been for over 50 years! What started out as a great training ground for some of the greatest comic stars of the last 5 decades, has become the training ground for almost every young comedian in the country. The name is Second City only because the New York "big-wigs" gave Chicago that name many moons ago. However, when it comes to comedy and improve and solid training for the next generation, Second City is indeed THE BEST!"
Chicagoland Theater Reviews- Highly Recommended
"..."Fool Me Twice, Deja vu" is everything an audience wants and expects in a Second City revue. It's loaded with young talent, salty comedy, and a cheerful willingness to take shots at a multitude of sacred cows in our social landscape, especially those with a conservative pedigree. And the audience has got to love the attitude and the delightful vulgarity that embellish the satirical bull's-eyes."