Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...But all of it is done with such good-natured insistence, why resist? Sherlock, as played by Graham Emmons, is full of himself and amusingly prickly, as he should be, with Damian Conrad's steadfast Watson offering a necessary arched eyebrow every so often. Underscoring the production's sense of humor about itself are the live Foley effects, which include snapping Bubble Wrap to create the sound of a crackling fire and noisily thrusting a plunger into a bucket of water to simulate a plumber's labors."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Under Menendian’s direction (music direction and choreography are by Chris Logan), the ensemble of actors, which also includes Matt Bartholomew, Conor Clark, Leah Frires, Rudy Galvan, Sarah Hayes, Sophia Menendian and Symphony Sanders, makes this a lively production as they morph from one character to the next. In the lead roles, Conrad easily captures the infamous detective’s quirks, and Emmons’ befuddled Watson, who serves as narrator, is the perfect observer and sidekick."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Based on Arthur Conan Doyle's 1892 tale "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle," it chronicles the efforts of Holmes (Graham Emmons) and his sidekick Dr. Watson (Damian Conrad) to deduce how a fabulous stolen diamond ended up in the gullet of someone's Christmas dinner. Director Michael Menendian (who cowrote the script with John Weagly) transforms the mystery story into a festive holiday entertainment, perfect for family groups, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor, comical sound effects, and jovial musical numbers, including a Christmas carol audience sing-along."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...Under Menendian's direction, the ensemble likewise projects a refreshing confidence in their material. Graham Emmons and Damian Conrad maintain the gravitas we expect of Holmes and Watson, their patrician manners contrasting with the antics of commoners drawn in George Cruikshank mode ( in particular, Rudy Galvin as a miscreant whose grotesque features in no way diminish the sincerity of his remorseful confession ). While still in need of some fine-tuning, this Raven Theatre production nonetheless constitutes a welcome off-Loop addition to the array of annual yuletide confections."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...If you are looking for a professionally performed, feel-good holiday show, I highly recommend "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose.""
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...The actors don’t have extremely serious parts and the only two that really stand out are Sarah Hayes as Mrs. Breckingridge and Rudy Galvan as James Ryder who give hilarious and suitably over-the-top performances which, along with the music (Chris Logan), are the two things from piece that linger in the mind. The costumes (Alaina Moore) are, as always at the Raven, suitable and convincing, but in the end, its exactly what it is billed as: very light holiday far that is being produced for commercial rather than artistic reasons, but surely the Raven can be allowed that indulgence once a year."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...Remounts seem to be common in Chicago this holiday season and Raven Theatre has found its own beloved Christmas play with music that attracts a faithful following. The production is nicely written and staged by co-adapter Michael Menendian and skillfully musical directed and accompanied by Chris Logan. However, but the only purpose for the five musical production numbers seems to be to remind the audience that they’re watching a holiday story and to lengthen the short play. But the production is earnestly played by an ensemble of talented performers and does make for a welcome change to the usual holiday fare."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose is a fun holiday take on a classic Victorian detective story. This family-friendly mystery is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Like a good detective, the play's director and cast pursue their quarry with single-minded dedication. And in the end, they capture just the right holiday tone-sweet but never sticky."
