Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...That the story is told with limited dialogue and mainly lyrics of your favorite 90s songs is a pleasing foil to its chaotic pacing and some problematic/dated plot points (some suspension of disbelief required here). Scenes with the film’s classics “Colorblind” and “Bitter Sweet Symphony” do not disappoint, with choreographer Laura Savage making the relatively small space feel layered and alive with energy. The entire cast impresses with their vocal performances, delivery of compelling camp, and ability to create an intimacy that verges just close enough to voyeuristic. Anabella Oddo stands out as Cecile (Selma Blair in the movie), using her vocal chops and charming physical comedy to give the “annoying” character depth, growth, and surprising power."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...There are some plays that have come from films and over the years, most have enjoyed success. Back in the late 90's Roger Kumble wrote a screenplay with a story based on a novel from 1782 called "Les Liasons dangereuses named "Cruel Intentions" and of course brought the story to New York and a group of teens at a private high school. The American version starred Sarah Michelle Geller, Ryan Phillippe, Selma Blair and Reese Witherspoon, so of course made money and of course developed a following. These films are often called "cult classics" as the true followers know every word of the dialogue, often quoting lines with the film."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...While the songs being sung were clearly familiar to those in attendance, Kokandy’s deliberate preference for non-Equity actors gives audiences the unique opportunity to see performers who may be lacking a larger platform in the city. This feeling of stand-out underground talent was apparent on the production team as well. The world built by Azevedo and his team, featuring Isabella Isherwood as Music Director and Laura Savage as Choreographer, is so detailed and thought through. From costumes to lighting cues to prep-school dancers, it’s clear homage was payed to the original movie and production, while leaving room for Kokandy’s personal flare."
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...What says snobby teens with step-sibling issues and boy band music cruising the airwaves better than the movie Cruel Intentions? It was a movie made for the’90s. It was a perfect take on Dangerous Liaisons with the same sinister undertone of louche behavior and cruelty, but with wealthy teens from the Upper East Side of Manhattan. What could be better? Sex, drugs, and more sex in Cruel Intentions the ’90s Musical! Kokandy Productions brings a welcome tonic of raunchy punchlines, ’90s music, and choreography to a musical just in time for summer. Director Adrian Abel Azevedo brings considerable directing experience to the table for a well-polished musical in a black box theater. This Cruel Intentions is not nearly as melodramatic as the movie or as mannered as the films Valmont (1989) or Dangerous Liaisons (1988) a decade earlier. This is a tragi-farce because there is that whole crushing revenge element to the musical but how they get there is mostly hilarious."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...Cruel Intentions, the 90s Musical is a Kokandy production, which is generally about all I need to know to expect something wonderful. This one certainly didn't disappoint: full of fun choreography, excellent acting, and fabulous singing, it is so good it made me want to watch the movie it is based on (which I somehow have never done)...but I expect the movie will come up short compared to the entertaining R-rated treasure now onstage at Chopin Theatre."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...Based on the 1999 film, Cruel Intentions follows Kathryn (Denault) and Sebastian (David Moreland) -wealthy step siblings that rule the elite Manchester Prep. The bored teens place a bet on Sebastian's ability to seduce Annette (Kelcy Taylor) - the new Headmaster's Daughter. If Sebastian fails, Kathryn wins his car. But if he succeeds, Sebastian wins the one thing he has wanted for years: Kathryn. Much as to be expected, the chaos of deception and romance grows out of control, and the audience has a front row seat to watching the students try to make sense of whatever they can."
BroadwayWorld - Recommended
"...Kokandy Productions' staging of CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL is a fun romp filled with '90s nostalgia and some banging vocals from director Adrian Abel Azevedo's ensemble. Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin, and Roger Kumble and based on Kumble's 1999 film of the same name, CRUEL INTENTIONS understands its assignment well to deliver camp, fun, and '90s hits. While I found the original film quite absurd with its seductive and slightly sadistic tale of lascivious stepsiblings Kathryn and Sebastian and their antics, the musical owns the ridiculousness, and in the end, makes for a clever adaptation that improves upon its source material. Certain elements of the film have not aged well, but the tongue-in-cheek nature of the musical compensates for that."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The thing about jukebox musicals is that I generally hate them. Hate like Alicia Silverstone hated playing Cher Horowitz (look it up). Why? Because they're usually trite. The music doesn't move the story along, the character development is bogus and generally, they're just money grabs. But if you remember Kokandy Productions' "Head Over Heels" in 2019 (and my review of it), you'll know that their jukebox shows are a whole different breed. Maybe we need to have a new category of these shows called boombox musicals since they're far from their jukebox counterparts."
