Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...The touring cast is certainly comparable to the Broadway originals. In fact, the younger Jonathan Crombie, who plays Man in Chair in the tour, is considerably more vulnerable than the dryer, more laconic Martin, which adds some emotion to the show's climax that wasn't there on the Broadway opening. And in the title role, Nancy Opel (best known for "Urinetown") is a knockout. One of the happy situations here is that the skilled character actors on whom this kind of show most depends—such as Cliff Bemis and Georgia Engel—are the very ones who value the tradition of top-drawer touring. They do "Drowsy" proud in Chicago."
Chicago Sun Times
- Highly Recommended
"...movement tells the story -- whether the performers (a full gamut of types) are tap dancing up a vaudeville storm, or acting out a breathless barrage of Follies-style stunts, or imitating those cymbal-playing monkeys who work with organ grinders, or getting lost in a "Turandot"-like Chinese opera (recall the "England, not Finland" scene in "Spamalot"), or getting stuck in a constantly repeating warped groove as they dance to an old LP recording that skips. A truly mind-boggling piece of theatrical clockwork."
Daily Herald
- Highly Recommended
"...The national tour of this unapologetically escapist and wholly original Tony-winning show breezed into Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre Tuesday. And director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw's bustling, imaginatively staged production delivered exactly what its narrator -- an endearingly fussy musical theater aficionado known as Man in Chair -- insists every musical should: It boosted the spirit."
SouthtownStar
- Highly Recommended
"...With Casey Nicholaw's pitch-perfect direction and choreography, the show within the show is a campy, romantic fantasy in which the characters are as frothy as bubbly champagne, the story is ridiculously simple and there's absolute certainty of a happy ending."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...The Drowsy Chaperone—comes to life in his drab apartment as he plays its original-cast album, describes its silly plot, and tosses off trivia about its imaginary stars. Penned by a team of Canadians whose credits range from sketch comedy to experimental theater and independent film, this multiple Tony Award winner simultaneously satirizes and celebrates Jazz Age musical comedy with its tap-dancing leading men and glamorous ingenues, lavish sets and gorgeous costumes, slapstick and spit takes, groaner puns and witty double entendres. Director Casey Nicholaw shrewdly fuses nostalgia, whimsy, irony, and farce into a campy delight."
Chicago Free Press
- Highly Recommended
"...Man in Chair (the winsome and charming Jonathan Crombie) conjures up a hilarious, super-silly, old-fashioned romp that’s rich with gut-busting stereotypes, boffo dance numbers and wickedly clever sight gags. His crummy apartment turns into a full-blown fantasy overflowing with showbiz savvy. Ninety minutes could not contain more laughs. Just try to keep a “straight” face."
EpochTimes
- Highly Recommended
"...What a delight! What a treat! These are some of the things heard as the audience walked up the aisles to exit Broadway in Chicago's five-time Tony Award-winning musical " The Drowsy Chaperone" at The Cadillac Palace Theatre. This is a completely original musical comedy that brings back memories of those days of our youth, when we who are theater nuts would lock our bedroom door and put the LP on of our favorite Broadway show and imagine it taking place right there in our room, or in the family room if the family was out for a Sunday afternoon drive."
Time Out Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...it’s the running commentary from Man in Chair (played with precision by the limitlessly charming Jonathan Crombie)—whether informing us of the fictional actors’ backstories or attempting to assuage the guilt of his pleasure (“When you’re listening to this one, try to ignore the lyrics,” he offers helpfully)—that allows the show to be both parody and love letter."
ChicagoCritic
- Highly Recommended
"...One of the best nights of theatre I have ever spent! Wow! Hilarious! Original musical with fantastic 1920’s style dancing. What’s not to like? The Drowsy Chaperone is fantastic! So funny. So smart—pure entertainment."
