Mr. Spacky...The Man Who Was Continuously Followed by Wolves presented by The Strange Tree Group at Chopin Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...As a playwright, Schwartz keeps mining the same Charles Addams/Edward Gorey territory, but with increasing skill and style. In her latest madcap tale, "Mr. Spacky ... The Man Who Was Continuously Followed By Wolves," Schwartz manages to combine elements of "Bluebeard," "Arsenic and Old Lace," and "Grey Gardens" -- and also incorporates ominous little ditties played live by the "Macabre Band," a seven-piece jug band reminiscent of England's Tiger Lillies, who brought similar gruesome charm to "Shockheaded Peter" a few years ago."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Emily Schwartz's exquisitely silly, genuinely witty new melodrama for the Strange Tree Group--a "murder-muzical" in which the audience decides the ending--bears out the title's promise. Despite Mr. Spacky's star billing, the story belongs to three female characters: a gullible bride-to-be and her future sister-in-law and niece, icy Mrs. Dumont and needy daughter Edwina."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...Indeed, the entire show—which is stylishly gotten-up and performed—is only half a show, just one act of what should be a two-act play. Mr. Spacky ... Followed by Wolves promises more than it delivers, yet what it delivers is tantalizing. Strange Tree and author Emily Schwartz don’t need to reconceive the work; they need to finish it."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...as the work of dark screwball ace David Lindsay-Abaire did a decade before her, Schwartz’s humor has the rare quality of feeling both completely fresh and classic at the same time. You know you’re watching a new play, but it seems like something that’s always existed."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...Mr. Spacky is completely original with toe-tapping folk music nicely played by a seven member acoustical band. These tunes (composed by Emily Schwartz) are both show specific and clever folk/bluegrass songs. This is a comic murder mystery musical that thoroughly works to produce many belly laughs. It is clever, unpredictable and audience friendly."