Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Well worth seeing for yourself, Lookingglass' "The Little Prince" can be enjoyed purely on a visual, whimsical level, I suppose (not by me, given the stakes, but no doubt by some). To its great credit, Catlin's new version wants to really take on the emotional core of the story; it wants to embrace one of life's great paradoxes: our growing sense, as we get older and wiser, that children feel the world more clearly. But then this always was a hard book for kids and adults, and that particular trek through the desert is in no way over."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Lookingglass Theatre's surpassingly lovely and imaginative new stage version of the book (by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar), produced with the Actors Gymnasium and directed by David Catlin (creator of "Lookingglass Alice"), has converted me. Not only does it clearly capture the tale of a man whose creativity was crushed in childhood only to re-emerge at a moment of great stress, but it deftly illuminates Saint-Exupery's themes of the meaning of love, the opposing pulls of solitude and companionship, and man's relationship to the universe itself. It does all this by way of a beguiling cast of eight and the company's characteristic flair for mixing physical magic (Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi devised the acrobatics), visual delights (cheers for designers Courtney O'Neill, Sally Dolembo and William Kirkham) and musical charm (sound designer Rick Sims, abetted by the actors' vocal and instrumental skills)."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Performances range from very good to outstanding. Ian Barford doesn't seem quite melancholy enough to bring out all the pathos and depth in Saint-Exupery's wounded narrator. Amelia Hefferon, both precocious and annoyingly chipper, makes a very believable Little Prince, and Louise Lamson, as the Rose who teaches the Little Prince the pain of heartache, is charming. But it's Kareem Bandealy who steals the show, as the satanic Snake who ultimately takes the Little Prince from the Aviator—and this world."
Centerstage - Recommended
"...The Little Prince is essentially a meditation on loneliness and on the alienation adults feel from their childhood selves, that is their better selves. The Aviator introduces the story by telling us that he once drew a picture of an elephant being eaten by a boa constricter, and saying that children instinctively understand this but adults always think it’s a hat. This is because we lose something as adults, and that is the ability to easily imagine and connect. Good art is a way to fight this tendency, and “The Little Prince” is a good example."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...In her professional debut, Hefferon has a greenness that fits the naive but sincere Little Prince, although the relationship between the Little Prince and his Rose (Louise Lamson) is less romantic and more like the bond between a small child and his teddy bear. It’s still passionate, but the desire is more juvenile. A supporting ensemble of Lookingglass regulars and one newcomer (Kasey Foster, who is delightful as a hyperactive French Fox with an amazing wig) does phenomenal work juggling multiple characters, with Adeoye, Kareem Bandealy, and Lauren Hirte creating huge personalities while performing remarkable acrobatic feats. The combination of immersive technical elements and charismatic acting cultivates an inviting atmosphere for all ages, making The Little Prince’s desert a wonderful place to get lost in this winter season."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...Catlin’s perfectly modulated staging is a perfect fit for a faithful, forceful adaptation by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar. The fusion creates a 90-minute theatrical epiphany, as timeless as true, bejeweled with unimprovable performances from an inevitable cast."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Children and adults can enjoy this amazingly pleasing theatrical event together. The artistry here is impressive yet the show could use a 15 minute trim as 90 minutes is a tad too long as it tends to overwhelm. But the series of surprising elements kept the audience stunned. This production sure exposes audiences to the wildly exotic possibilities of live theatre. The results become a memorable experience."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...Barford serves as the narrator of this fable. Barford's earthy voice provides a nice contrast to the otherworldly animation of the story. He and the childlike Amelia Hefferon (Little Prince) build a sweet synergy as misplaced misfits. The entire talented ensemble combine their acting and musical talents to make THE LITTLE PRINCE an entertaining lesson in being tamed."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...While we have two main characters, it is the rest of the cast, the ensemble members that truly make this a perfect story telling experience. Adeoye, Kareem Bandealy, Kasey Foster, Raymond Fox, Lauren Hirte and Louise Lamson play many roles during this tale and make many costume changes in doing so. There are many wonderful moments in this production that will remind you of "Alice", but some new ideas that will inspire you to reach new heights as well. While it is a "fairy tale" of sorts, there is something to be learned from the story- it is about awakening, reality, dreams and of most importance, sharing!"
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...David Catlin's direction keeps the action moving briskly throughout the theater, letting the whimsical scenes show flow as a natural course of events. Catlin is assisted hugely in his labors by Courtney O'Neill's scenic design, Sally Dolembo's striking costumes, William Kirkham's evocative lighting, and Rick Sims's sound design. The choreography and acrobatics are in the always expert hands of Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, the co-artistic director of the Actors Gymnasium in Evanston, an organization that has contributed memorably to many past Lookingglass productions with their circus acts. "The Little Prince" could have profited from more of her athletic creativity."