Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"... Jeffrey Hatcher's new play is named after the house, which functions in many ways as its central character. But you get the sense that Hatcher and BJ Jones, the director of the Northlight Theatre production, have not fully figured out what they want this show to be. Some of the time, it's a frothy, personality-driven comedy, evoking shades of Coward's "Hay Fever" or George S. Kaufmanand Edna Ferber's "The Royal Family." At others, it's a gossipy affair, using sexy double-entendres (something about sharing salmon croquettes) to probe the amorous attentions paid to Lund by one Uta Hagen, an ambitious young actress who knew how to get ahead when doing Chekhov with a man whose wife may (or may not) have been OK with a love triangle. Assuming it helped the scene."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...BJ Jones’s direction emphasizes the grand personalities of the Broadway legends. The passion of Alfred and Lynn’s marriage exists in performance, and Heidenreich and Mortensen blossom when playing with the duo’s signature comic repartee. It’s easy to see how diva Lynn would be threatened by Griffin’s quietly confident Uta, yet the strongest moments between the women are devoid of malice. As Alfred’s half-siblings, Janet Ulrich Brooks and Lance Baker fulfill the servant roles on the Chekhovian estate, providing a down-to-earth perspective on the celebrity drama."
Chicago On the Aisle - Recommended
"...Director BJ Jones and company have fashioned a spirited, enjoyable evening of theater reflected in designer Tom Burch’s brightly hued distillation of palatial Ten Chimneys. It may be no more substantial than smoke, but there’s charm in its passing drift."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...BJ Jones does a marvelous job of directing the play in its many moods, including the rehearsal scenes of The Seagull, a master class in dramatic interpretation. Tom Burch designed the effective rural set that makes good use of the Northlight turntable stage. Rachel Laritz designed the costumes, JR Lederle the lighting, and Joe Cerqua the sound plus original music."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Hatcher’s backstage slice of life drama takes us delightfully into the world of star-powered actors living their craft through their passionate commitment to their art. Director BJ Jones’ cast both respects and fully understands their roles as each marvelously portrays their legendary characters with grace and aplomb."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...It has to be difficult to portray legends and tell what might be their story, but this cast does it. Most younger theater-goers, may not know much about who all these people are and what they meant to the theater during that time, but with “google” they can find out easily, so they might want to see this production for the historical value, but for my part, just watching these actors move us through this revealing look at some historical figures makes this a worthwhile experience."