Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...There are no wild surprises nor breathtaking visual centerpieces (design elements are within the usual palette), but this well-paced, fast-moving Marriott "Pirates" is inventive and entertaining, with Alene Robertson yukking it up deliciously as Ruth and Broadway's Kevin Earley flinging his sword about as the potent but genial Pirate King."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"... The story is pure fluff, spinning the tale of a young lad, Frederic (the graceful, endearingly sweet Omar Lopez-Cepero), who, years earlier, was mistakenly indentured with a ship of pirates by his childhood nurse, Ruth (the ever comical Alene Robertson). He is now about to be free of his service and hopes to meet women far younger women than Ruth. And wouldn’t you know it, he stumbles upon the seven available daughters of the nouveau-riche, show-biz-loving Major-General (Ross Lehman, in sensational form on the heels of his star turn as Capt. Andy in the Lyric Opera’s “Show Boat,” easily stops the show with “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General”)."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...This spirited revival embodies everything that's great about Gilbert & Sullivan's 1879 comic opera: wit, energy, craft, and intelligence saturate its many delicious layers of sweet parody and savory satire. Dominic Missimi's fine cast never stumble."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"... A 22-member dream team cast populates the Cornish coastal town in Missimi’s streamlined production. Dapper Chicagoan Kevin Earley returns from Broadway to play the dandy, bumbling, butterfingers swordsman Pirate King. Omar Lopez-Cepero, late of Broadway’s “American Idiot,” makes his welcome Marriott debut as Frederic, the handsome young apprenticed pirate whose conscience forbids violating any rules, even when his heart is concerned. Both actors are powerful actor/singers and sport impressive athletic prowess. Lovely Patricia Noonan brings even more New York credentials to heroine, Mabel, impressing with her effortless soprano range, from beautiful lower tones to aerial coloratura."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...The show is performed in a tight two hours including an intermission. But that’s plenty of time to present more than two dozen beautifully performed songs and an ample supply of comic foolery. As a bonus, audiences will discover that the number “With Cat-Like Tread” is actually the origin of the boisterous and familiar “Hail, Hail the Gang’s All Here.”"
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This production of Pirates of Penzance had the hallmark of all great theater — the wish that it would never end, and the desire to go right back to the beginning and enjoy the whole evening once more. Many thanks to the whole Marriott cast and crew– and especially to Director Missimi."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"... With lush designs and gorgeous singing icing a marvelously acted show, there is a lot to love about Dominic Missimi's new production of "The Pirates of Penzance" at Marriott Lincolnshire. Gilbert and Sullivan fans will be most pleased with this straight-forward staging of the classic operetta from 1879. It has not been radically reconceived or reconstructed, but instead infused with a contagious excitement and good humor that had audience members falling out of their seats around me. Everyone on stage looks like they are having a blast and that energy is infectious."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...What makes an old show new and sparkling in a new type of production is the direction and choreography, handled to prefection by Dominic Missimi ( director) and Matt Raftery(Choreography) who make a small , intimate stage feel as if it was a large Broadway production. What we have in this production is a limited space, minimal set ( although , I must say that Thomas M. Ryan is marvelous) and strong talent that makes this a true theatrical experience- one that will be remembered for years to come. Think about it- how many of you have ever seen a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta ( more music than words)? Probably, very few- you deserve to experience one and if you are going to, who could ask for better than this?(you won’t find it)."