Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...The famously talented Kane takes a deep dive into Francis, a tough role, and he has his moments, although I'd argue his main job is to explain and pull us through the story he's manipulating. In actuality Kane does a lot of very intense physical comedy, inventive and rich, but mostly not funny enough to be worth the price. All these set-pieces muddy and slow what's already a long, complicated narrative. Everything, ideally, should be going at twice this speed."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Bean's play takes its inspiration from Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni's 18th century comedy "Servant of Two Masters," which in turn drew on the commedia dell'arte tradition of an earlier century in which street performers playing stock characters improvised comic sketches. Here, to give the whole thing a modern flair, Bean has set his story on Brighton Pier (England's seacoast playground), at the very moment when the Beatles were emerging and Great Britain was becoming the epicenter of "The Swinging Sixties.""
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Charles Newell's hilarious, nearly flawless direction of Richard Bean's modern adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's 1753 farce is a case where everything goes right. The ensemble (a collection of Chicago’s A-list actors at the top of their game) is first-rate, Mara Blumenfeld’s mod-inspired costumes are delightful, and Collette Pollard's set is both eye-pleasing and integral to the show’s postmodern comic conceit (that the audience is reminded at all times that they are watching a play, even as they are drawn into the story)."
Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...It's been joked that the United States and the United Kingdom are "two nations divided by a common language." Unfortunately, that quip applies to Court Theatre's disappointing U.S. stab at Richard Bean's hit British comedy One Man, Two Guvnors in its Chicago premiere."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...The story barely registers (nor, perhaps, is it meant to). Unfortunately, neither do many of the characters. They're meant to be archetypes, sure, translations of the stock characters of commedia dell'arte. But maybe because the actors are constantly shifting out of character to pick up a guitar (invariably lowering the stakes and momentum) or engage in fourth-wall breaking audience interaction bits, we never really get invested in them in character. Instead, One Man plays like a series of self-conscious set pieces. And at the center, Kane, one of the city's finest leading men, feels miscast. Francis's clowning needs to look effortless, but in his strenuous performance here, you can always see the work."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...From Ross Lehman's pratfalls to Alex Goodrich's slapstick to Chaun Cross' clowning, One Man, Two Guvnors will impress you with the manic stage craft that includes many catchy pop/rock tunes. But as effective and skilled these comics are, it was the incredible work by Timothy Edward Kane that anchored this amazing show. Kane once more proved that he is the most skilled and fearless actor working in Chicago. Here he combines is spot-on comic timing with his extraordinary physical bits that include facial expressions, and zany movements. His bits serving his two masters food and drink was priceless among other wonderful comic routines."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...This show is a showcase for some incredibly talented actor-musicians, many of them playing multiple instruments. The combination of the fun music and the goofy comedy keeps the entertainment value high throughout this production. Some of the hiccups in pace and precision can be fixed with more time running the show. But the show as a whole lacks that uncertainty needed to propel it to new heights. It’s the difference between walking through a crowd with a tray full of dishes being held on one hand and doing the same with that tray on a ten foot pole on your chin. If you don’t drop it, both are impressive. But only one will have me on the edge of my seat."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...The stellar cast is a virtual who's who in Chicago theater, and all of them sing, dance and play a variety of musical instruments as well as spoons, a washboard and a saw. Action frequently stops as the entire cast, which also includes Elisa Carlson and Derek Hasenstab, play and sing a silly song. A drum set is mounted on a pushcart, which can be moved about as needed. At one point, the Harlequin pushes that cart holding the drummer and another. Next time the cart appears, there are four people on board; next time, the whole cast."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...There couldn't be a more entertaining play to end this brilliant season at the Court Theatre. Nor can there be funnier, more lighthearted production to welcome the Summer season in Chicago. This laugh-a-minute production will have audiences gasping for breath, between all the giggling and guffaws. It's even inconceivable how this cast finds enough oxygen to carry on, as they continuously do, while mining every ounce of comedy from Richard Bean's well-written script. Once the play begins, thanks to Charles Newell's direction, the energy never lets up until well after the final curtain. Several audience members will even become involved in the action each night, so buyer beware. Enjoy the free popcorn and merriment while dipping your toes in this comedy pool. Here is one farce theatergoers will be talking about for years to come."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Somewhat Recommended
"...About an hour into the performance, I was ready to recuse myself from public comment on "One Man, Two Guvnors" on the grounds that this kind of show just isn't my cup of comic English tea. But the second act displaced the rampant silliness with some genuine humor. Either that or the comic frenzy on the stage finally wore me down. Many people around me apparently thought the evening was a laugh riot, so the show ultimately falls into the category of comedy in which the entertainment value resides in the eye and the ear of the beholder."
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"...Newell and company are determined to provide a good time. They succeed, although the 2 hour and 45 minute run time of the show (including one intermission) is a bit much for this sort of thing. Without any great investment in the plot, we travel from set piece to set piece. Some will be more to one’s liking than others. It’s worth the trip to Hyde Park and, even if it doesn’t split your sides for the full 150 minutes of stage time, you’ll still come away with a better knowledge of stage comedy tradition and a new appreciation for the comic skills of local actors."
NewCity Chicago - Recommended
"...Newell’s selection of A-list Chicago actors makes up for lulls in the first act. In particular, Kane’s dynamic expressions captivate the audience in especially challenging scenes where he must work within the script then abruptly change to sequences where he improvises with and incorporates the audience. He’s a bastion of improvisation. Ledo, Resnik and Goodrich also offer standout performances, demonstrating a high caliber of comedy and wit that flows naturally."
