Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"... Henry's score feels thin. I know, perhaps that was inevitable, given the source material. But I was somehow hoping for some deeper thoughts on what it means to go to sleep, to give up the day, even to say goodnight. The music is quirky and humorous — bears papa, mama and baby all warble for your pleasure — and the melodies inoffensive, but the emotional core of the material is just not all that resonant. And whether you're aged 3 or 93, "Goodnight Moon" can be a very emotional book."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"... David Kersnar’s endlessly ingenious direction sees to it that the pictures on the wallspring to life, that Bunny’s bedsheets defy tuck-ins, and that cats, dolls, clocks and telephones — not to mention the moon itself — all assume livesof their own. DesignersJacquelineand Richard Penrod have created a terrific set, expertly lit by Sarah Hughey, that is full of delicious tricks and no end of whimsical surprises, with extra applause due to Jesse Gaffney (props) and Rick Sims (sound). Alison Siple’s smile-inducing costumes might have been cut and pasted from the pages of the picture book."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...The animation of inanimate objects feels entirely appropriate for a story about saying good night to a bedroom. Trouble is, adapter Chad Henry has time to fill. So he gives the bunny protagonist an endless string of techniques for avoiding sleep—songs, stories, glasses of water. Instead of a sweet bedtime ritual, this Chicago Children's Theatre premiere turns into a case study in ADHD."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"... The vibrant set, utilizing the Crayola palette of the original tale, is gorgeous: Designers Jacqueline and Richard Penrod deftly elevate Clement Hurd’s meticulous illustrations to a three-dimensional wonderland. The room’s accessories morph and move throughout the show. As Bunny, Goodrich is aces at engaging the kids, playing off their energy and improvising reactions to the occasional fidgety outburst."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"... Goodnight Moon -The Musical is a major treatfor children ofall ages,especially the younger kids. The production values and the charm and whimsy will tickle the delights of all. I can’t thing of a more deserving show to get children into the magic world of live theatre. They’ll get so absorbedintotheshow thatthey’ll remember this experience for a long time. It is a fun, well produced and acted theatre piece."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Chicago Children’s Theatre presents GOOD NIGHT MOON The Musical. In 1947, Margaret Wise Brown published a book about a bunny stalling shut-eye by fare-welling everything in his room. For decades, parents have hushed their children and their children’s children into slumber with this bunny tale. It’s a nightly ritual for families, a gentle moment of quiet contemplation before drifting off to sleep. Now, the kid classic bedtime read has gone 3-D! And it’s *not* a parent’s sleepy time aid. GOOD NIGHT MOON The Musical is an energetic-wake-up-and-play spectacle."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"... One of the biggest challenges of children’s entertainment is getting down to their level without cloying. Goodnight Moon: The Musical manages this well, through the ensemble’s total commitment and the production team’s keen attention to detail. As the show progressed, I looked around the darkened auditorium to gauge the reaction of the play’s target demographic, and found myself surrounded by giggling children and contented grown-ups. There are worse ways to spend a Sunday."
