Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...If you have a lover of pink (or of cupcakes) under your roof, you'll also appreciate the way this show celebrates family, healthy living and, well, moderation in all things. It is a pleasant change from the staples of Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, which tend to market young stars. Pinkalicious may be pink, but she's also a Pinkerton, willing to learn from Mom (Rachel Klippel) and Dad (Patrick Byrnes)."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Cute but cloying. That is the best way to describe “Pinkalicious: The Musical,” Chicago’s Emerald City Theatre’s production of the hourlong musical created by composer-lyricist John Gregor, in collaboration with Elizabeth and Victoria Kann, the author-illustrator team behind the popular children’s picture book of the same name."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Director-choreographer Ernie Nolan and his cast do an exhaustingly endearing job of putting over John Gregor's songs. But the script sometimes gets its p.c. messages tangled up. For instance: When Pinkalicious catches Pinkititis the objective is to show what happens to sugar gluttons who don't eat their greens, and so the change of color is bad; yet when her brother goes through the same transformation, it's treated as a triumphant rejection of gender stereotypes. How does one kid's disease become another's liberation? We're left to figure that one out for ourselves."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Translating a children’s picture book to the stage isn’t easy. The plots are thin, the characters are two-dimensional and they rely heavily on visuals. And for that very reason, Emerald City’s opulent production is a must-see for those elementary and preschool-aged fans of Elizabeth and Victoria Kann’s picture books. Not simply a whimsical story of a little girl’s obsession with the color pink, the book is also a cautionary tale about good eating habits. Judging by audience reaction, most kids know the story by heart, happily participating when asked to join in the fun. For youngsters, this bouncy musical version is a cotton candy technicolored dream come true."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"... The musical numbers are A+ very pop like and catchy tunes. "Pinkatastic" is a really fun opening number that will be in your head all afternoon. "Pinkititis," lead by Dr. Wink, brings a little bit of Liza and "All that Jazz" to the stage. My daughter Ella really liked "Cupcake Dream" where The Cupcakes, designed as puppets, sing during the night when all are sleeping (this was the dream sequence and we got to see them twice)! Peter in particular rocks the house with " I Got the Pink Blues" and the Finale is really fun. This is a high energy, fast moving, fabulicious show for kids of all ages!"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...This powerful and as previously stated “energetic” cast is composed of Patrick Byrnes as Mr. Pinkerton, Rachel Klippel as Mrs. Pinkerton, the very funny Mark Kasten as brother Peter, Julia P. Gordon as “Pink”s” best friend Allison, Ashley Braxton as Dr. Wink ( and others) and a strong ensemble player, Alex Ring filling out the cast. Nathan R. Roher’s costumes are definately “Pinkalicious” and the lighting by Nic Jones makes the set ( Ernie Nolan, who also handled the choreography) work as well. There are some perfectly adorable songs and the puppets ( pink cupcakes, what else?) and props by D.J.Reed makes for a very enjoyable hour on Michigan Avenue."
