Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...There are some young performers here well worth seeing, too, including Kyle Patrick, the enigmatic lead, sometimes decked in little more than his precious Calvin Kleins, doing his mischief upon assorted victims like business rival Paul, the similarly excellent John Drea. Many of the members of the ensemble are stuck with characters written as types, but they do their considerable best and I was especially taken with Sonia Goldberg, who plays Jean, and who listens intently and offers up the only heart that seems to be beating - which is more a comment on the writing than the acting."
Chicago Sun Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...In the end, Kokandy's production has one massive plus in Kyle Patrick's sleek, sparkling performance. It makes "American Psycho: The Musical" a passable exercise in hate-watching, but little else."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...Last year for the Halloween season, Kokandy Productions presented Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. Now they're back with another slasher songfest: American Psycho: The Musical, adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's 1991 novel by book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and with a score by Duncan Sheik, whose original songs are interspersed with pop hits like "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "In the Air Tonight.""
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...As I said, this is a musical and while you will not leave the theatre humming any of the melodies, you will find that the music (Duncan Sheik) helps to unveil the story and Heidi Joosten’s musical direction allows us to hear the melodies and the words. There are some wonderful harmonies. There are some additional songs added to the show: These are “Everybody Wants to Rule The World”, “Don’t You Want Me”, “In The Air Tonight”, “Hip To Be Square” and “True Faith”. These all fit into the pattern of the storytelling."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...Everything about this exciting Chicago premiere is superior. Derek Van Barham's expert direction, which is sharp and unflinching, once again demonstrates his special skill with plays and musicals that are dark, edgy and speak volumes about today's world. The acting is spectacular. The leading players are spot-on, and the supporting cast blends well as an ensemble, particularly during the many high-tech musical and dance numbers. The technical support provided is by some of Chicago's finest theatre artists, from Quinn Simmons' performance and choreographic assistance, to the fine intimacy coordination and fight choreography supervised by Kirsten Baity and Kate Lass, respectively. Everybody, it turns out, Wants to Rule this World!"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre
- Highly Recommended
"...Kokandy's production resurrects and revitalizes this musical only briefly seen on Broadway in those long-ago pre-Trump years. By the end of any night, this production will have every audience member under the hypnotic spell of exhaustive lists and threatening cataloging. Also, the beat of chopping axes."
Third Coast Review
- Recommended
"...American Psycho as originally conceived by author Bret Easton Ellis has a great elevator pitch. "A novel about an investment banker in the Reagan eighties who at night becomes a serial killer." Just on its face it sounds brilliant. Blood n' guts n' satire. I'm hooked. Take my money."
Life and Times
- Highly Recommended
"...The Chicago premiere of American Psycho: The Musical is now on full display at the Chopin Studio Theatre through the impeccable talents of Kokandy Productions. The talent that struts, pouts, and explodes in the embrace of sin after sin invokes a sense of awe from every member of the audience. Based on the overall quality achieved by producing artistic director Derek Van Barham, American Psycho: The Musical should play to nothing short of standing-room-only audiences for the duration of its stay in Chicago. It's that good."
