Chris Gaines in...The Life of Garth Brooks at Annoyance Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Inspired by the elaborate backstory Brooks created for Gaines, Ott (who stars as the Gaines/Brooks amalgam) and co-director Joe Avella instill in their cast a madcap sense of purpose, including a couple of awesomely faux maudlin flashbacks of father-son bonding. Tim de la Motte, in several roles but notably as Gaines' petulant limo driver, is the show's ace in the hole."

Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Unfortunately, the show ultimately falls a little flat. The production relies too much on ironic nostalgia, and doesn't pack the comedic punch Annoyance usually supplies. Some of the funniest and most promising characters (often played by De la Motte) disappear too quickly. It seemed the audience was cheated out of the show's potentially best moments, moments the show never fully found or delivered on. I found myself chuckling now and then, but the sustained hilarity I was expecting just never came."