Aztec Human Sacrifice at City Lit Theater

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...The team's passion shines through, resulting in an enlightening and entertaining experience. As City Lit's 42nd season concludes, Aztec Human Sacrifice stands as a fitting finale, made all the more sentimental with artistic director and producer Terry McCabe's nearing retirement."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...The world premiere of “Aztec Human Sacrifice” by Philip LaZebnik and Kingsley Day, with lyrics by Kingsley Day, tells a cute and clever tale, based on a relatively simple, straightforward theme. In keeping with traditional Aztec rituals and beliefs, the story is framed around The Chosen One, a man who must be killed so that the sun would rise again the next morning. If this important sacrifice does not take place, then it could very well spell the end of the world! This energetic musical production incorporates the spirit of the Aztec people and gives us a hint about their once prevalent civilization, while at the same time it is a romance, a fantasy adventure, a musical, and a comedy all rolled into one."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Not Recommended

"...The drollery, though, never arrives. The overly literal physical production and direction can’t keep pace with the sometimes-screwball, sometimes-surreal intent of the text. The anachronistic self-aware stabs at humor land less like Urinetown than they do the gargoyles in Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. The music, if ethnomusicologically accurate to sixteenth-century Mexico, never approaches the kettle-drum thunderousness that one would think “the end of the world” demands, even if City Lit’s modest space only allows so much oomph."

Picture This Post - Recommended

"...It’s quite an ambitious romp through history and the Aztec civilization! Aztec Human gives us a glimpse into what life was like back in the Aztec age and a non-traditional love story. For this writer, the story sometimes felt disconnected and a bit too simplistic as it tried to encompass everything. For those who have an interest in ancient civilization history and are a fan of musicals, this would be a good fit for you."

NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...One element of the show that is unequivocally enchanting is the sophisticated and haunting score by Kingsley Day. Day is an accomplished composer. In addition to composing many original stageworks, he has long been the star of Gilbert and Sullivan patter-song roles at The Savoyaires. His “Aztec” score is in the supremely capable hands of the conductor Annie Liu, also magnificently on keyboards. The pit is completed by Lior Shragg on a big percussion rig that employs metal kitchen bowls to great effect and Priya Fink on flute and piccolo."