Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"..."If/Then" sometimes falters as it homes in on familiar home truths, and there are, to be sure, moments where the earnestness feels more wincing than revealing. But it also has some lovely insights into how the phantom pains of missing a life we never had can haunt and shape our choices - and that we can always find something new to live for, if we just remember to look up every once in a while."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Now in a highly polished national touring company production making a stop at the Oriental Theatre, this heavily contrived piece, clearly devised for Idina Menzel’s mega-voice — and performed here by Jackie Burns, Menzel’s Broadway replacement, whose pipes and commitment are equally formidable — has its moments. But overall it is annoying and exhausting."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...What unifies these strands is their soporific banality. No matter which world she inhabits at a given moment, Elizabeth is sure to be having a hokey crisis in it, to a score that comes across as a single, dull song played over and over again. Larry Keigwin's choreography offers nice Tharpian quirks, and, led by huge-voiced Jackie Burns as Elizabeth, the cast of this touring production is strong. But there's not much for them to save here."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...it’s an unexpected pleasure to see a well-done Broadway musical that’s not a period piece or in a fantasy setting, but about everyday, contemporary people living in a recognizable (if idealized) New York City. And the terrific leads make us feel for these characters. Some might say Elizabeth’s problems are too everyday—at least until Act II, when the writers start throwing a ton of capital-P Plot at both versions of her. But that’s in line with the theme of this show: You can never know what life’s going to give you, so don’t get paralyzed worrying about what might have been."
ShowBizChicago - Recommended
``The actors give committed performances, and their singing had emotional range. It was hard to swallow Manhattan as this crime-free wonderland and it definitely needs more irony and humor to sell the audience. It's safe to say that you'll enjoy this heartfelt musical, even if the plot is a bit messy - albeit clever."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...To accommodate the two storylines, director Michael Greif has kept the staging as fluid as possible. Designer Mark Wendland’s main set piece is a turntable, and Peter Nigrini and Dan Scully’s projections provide most of the visuals. Their use of maps of Manhattan reinforces one of the show’s key themes: the interconnectedness of all the people in the city, and the importance of seemingly small actions by each of them."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...If you loved "Next To Normal", you will no doubt fall in love with this one as well! One would have to re-classify this from a new "musical" to a "Chamber-type rock opera". The music (Tom Kitt composer) and Lyrics (Brian Yorkey, who wrote the book as well) are hauntingly rock and as in "Normal" propel the story more than interrupt it."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...The opportunity to revisit a turning point in one’s life would be a true blessing. To have that opportunity, to walk down a road that, when first encountered, wasn’t traveled would indeed be eye opening. Hindsight is true and clear; the chance to go back and make one’s life better, to make wiser choices, is a wish for all. In this musical, a young woman is given the chance to reevaluate her the choices she’s made in her life. In the end Elizabeth finds herself “Always Starting Over.”"
Splash Magazine - Recommended
"...Despite its many flaws "If/Then" is still very enjoyable, entertaining, and occasionally even touching. Admittedly, part of its appeal is that it comes with an already well-known "underdog" card. Non movie and jukebox musicals are sadly few and far between in national tours. So any show with this much fresh ingenuity and originally behind it is well worth rooting for. The other reason you'll want to check out this show is to see the stunning portrayal of our lead by the talented actress, Jackie Burns. It is a beautifully acted and fiercely-belted performance that is truly not-to-be missed. Overall, "If/Then" is far from terrible, but it's also far from perfect."