Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Rooted in a backstage world, the production intentionally steps away from vaudeville color—typified by all of the brown on Jack Magaw’s brick-hewn set and the period heaviness of Elizabeth Flauto’s costumes. You could argue that casts a pall on the heart and humor of the piece (this is not a very funny “Funny Girl”) but it’s a valid choice. It’s just that if that’s where we are going with Miss Fanny, we need to take the whole trip. With everyone parading in the same direction."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Director William Osetek (who co-conceived this production with Gary Griffin), has tapped Sara Sheperd, an ensemble member of Broadway's recent "Cry Baby," to play Brice. And the dark-haired, decidedly non-glam actress brings a big voice, strong energy and honest acting to the role. Her expertly conversational approach to the show's terrific songs bears the clear influence of a Griffin tutorial, as does her smart, naturalistic take on the role overall. But the production surrounding her is oddly lackluster, especially compared to the bristling work seen at Drury Lane in recent seasons."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...he beauty of this revival is that it succeeds without referencing the 1964 Broadway original, the 1968 movie, or--most surprising of all--Barbra Streisand's star turn in the lead role. It helps that Sara Sheperd brings her own star power to her portrayal of legendary comedienne Fanny Brice. Sheperd's uncommon power and verve dominates every scene she appears in--comic, serious, and show-stopping musical number--and helps her make the role her own."
Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...there are problems with the production values, and these are substantial enough to make Funny Girl more enervating than invigorating. First, there's the set design, defined by towering walls of brick that dwarf the cast and leach emotional intense scenes of crucial intimacy. Put a cavernous backdrop behind the heart-to-heart tete-a-tetes between Fanny and her ne'er do well husband Nicky Arnstein (Paul Anthony Stewart) and you get a scene defined by empty space and distance rather than up close, urgent immediacy."
Copley News Service - Highly Recommended
"...Sheperd is the jewel of the show, but Drury Lane has built a superb production around her. Just a couple of years ago Drury Lane was plodding along as a competent suburb theater dispensing adequate versions of light comedies and musicals. But with the ascent of William Osetek as artistic director Drury Lane is now a major force in Chicagoland theater, easily on a par with the Marriott Theatre in the quality of its musical stagings."
Talkin Broadway - Somewhat Recommended
"...We can applaud Osetek and his team (Gary Griffin is co-credited with Osetek for the production conception and David New is acknowledged as Associate Director) for returning to the piece's roots and delivering a musical biography of Fanny Brice as if Ms. Streisand never existed. They may have revealed, though, that the reasons Funny Girl has been seldom revived go beyond the difficulty of comparisons to Streisand and the fearless way she made such a star turn out of a dramatically underwritten character. Funny Girl as a piece of musical theater writing is a better than average musical of its era, thanks to the Styne-Merrill score, but not in the same league as Fiddler, Hello, Dolly! or other classics that debuted in the early 1960s. If audiences go to appreciate the musical numbers as performed by Sheperd and company, they'll have a good enough time."
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"...Despite a fantastic score, Matt Raftery's lively choreography and an excellent, hardworking cast, the production doesn't dazzle. Paul Anthony Stewart makes a handsome but stiff Nicky Arnstein. A television and Broadway veteran, Stewart looks great in a tuxedo and has a gorgeous voice. Catherine Smitko creates a funny, appropriately gutsy Mrs. Brice and Iris Lieberman is delightful as the gossiping Mrs. Strakosh. Talented triple threat newcomer Jameson Cooper is impressive as Eddie Ryan, Fanny's vaudeville mentor who carries a torch for the rising star. And Patrick Gagnon is memorable as the Ziegfeld Tenor who attempts to keep his composure while serenading a scene-stealing Fanny during her Follies premiere."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...As a musical revue, however, the production doesn’t disappoint. A nine-piece orchestra ably assists this two-dozen-plus ensemble. In early group numbers, over-busy choreography nearly eclipses Sheperd. Fortunately, her final, impassioned sung soliloquies make a serious case to put the DVD down and see the damn thing live."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Funny Girl is a richly staged (set design by Jack Magaw) featuring fabulous period-perfect costumes (Elizabeth Flauto) as a backstage show that gives a glimpse into the complex Fanny Brice’s persona. Sara Shepard’s poignantly truthful performance channels the singer-comedian. Jameson Cooper’s Eddie Ryan, Catherine Smitko’s Mrs. Brice and Iris Lieberman’s Mrs. Strakosh each gave excellent performances. Drury Lane Oakbrook continues to offer exquisite productions. Kudos to them for remounting Funny Girl and welcome Sara Shepard to Chicago."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...After twenty-six years of reviving one classic Broadway musical after another, it's hard to believe Drury Lane Oakbrook is just now getting around to doing "Funny Girl". The reason why it has taken so long can probably be summed up in two words: Barbra Streisand. To many this classic from the end of the Golden Age of musicals will forever lie in the shadow of its original star and no matter how talented the successors may be, it was, is and will always be Streisand's star vehicle. But those inclined to look at the work with open eyes will discover an absolutely rip-roaring score by the incomparable Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, including a few songs that never made it to the 1968 film with Streisand hogging nearly all the musical moments to herself."
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"...A brave production, with excellent performances, Funny Girl is worth its ticket price, but don’t expect catharsis. At show’s end, we don’t know whether to applaud Fanny or cry for her."
