Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Fans of the Broadway musical "Beauty and the Beast," adapted from the Disney movie in the '90s, might find themselves humming the tune to "Human Again" after seeing City Lit Theater's production of "Glassheart." In this song, originally cut from the film but reinserted into the musical, the staff members of the Beast's enchanted castle daydream about what they will do when the curse is broken and they transform from household objects back into people."
Chicago Reader
- Recommended
"...Classic characters confront the modern world in Reina Hardy's Glassheart, a contemporary retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." Glassheart situates the Beast (Mark Pracht), still cursed with a grotesque appearance, far from 18th-century Europe. Now, he and his loyal friend and underling, a magical lamp called Only (Kat Evans), have moved to present-day Chicago. Here, Only hopes that the dejected, reclusive Beast can finally fall in love and break the curse that plagues them."
Around The Town Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Kat Evans amazes and amuses us with her beautiful singing voice and cherubic acting in the role of Only in the weirdly bizarre fairytale "Glassheart." Otherwise known as Lamp, she lights up the room every time she takes the stage! But Evans' dynamism and sheer force of will are not enough to save this confusing work of magical realism that projects a French fairytale from the 18th century onto our world today. While I enjoy plays in this category of fiction, I believe that this particular script could stand some improvement."
Third Coast Review
- Recommended
"...This reimagining of Beauty and the Beast set in modern-day Chicago-helmed by newly minted executive artistic director Brian Pastor-is both familiar and strange. The set is an ordinary Chicago apartment but it also feels enchanted from its first appearance, with stars on the walls that flicker on and off at key moments and a mirror that shows "too much truth." Much credit goes to scenic designer Jeremiah Barr, props designer Meghan X. McGrath, lighting designer Liz Cooper, and costume designer Clare McKellaston, for treading the line between modern and fantastical in the show's design."
Entertaining Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Glassheart is an entertaining retelling of a story that you already know. With quirky characters, fun banter, and tons to look at, you are going to love seeing things from a new angle."
Chicago Theater and Arts
- Recommended
"...Kat Evans literally lights up the stage with her ebullient optimism and pleasing nature. Generally, I was not sure about the need for two short songs she sings, which seemed a bit out of place in this non-musical. But Evans' angelic voice make the interludes more than worthwhile."
Splash Magazine
- Recommended
"...Roses to the cast: Mark Pracht as The Beast, gives us a studied, roaring, diffident fully developed sufferer. Kat Evans as Only the Lamp, is the strongest, staunchest supporter one could wish, with a gorgeous voice. Cailyn Murray as Aiofe, the Beauty, is a disarming modern charmer. Elaine Carlson as The Witch is a delightfully brilliant, wicked scene stealer."
Allie and the After Party
- Recommended
"...Glassheart is such an interesting retelling of Beauty and The Beast because it's the same, but then not at all the same at the same time. We recognize the characters from the original fairytale, but they're completely different here and we get to unpack many different layers of each of these characters."
NewCity Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...This rendition of "Beauty and the Beast" is like a "what if?" version of the Disney animated film, where The Beast never met a kind-hearted librarian and is forced to sell his castle and move into a small apartment in a big city in the United States of America. The Beast (Mark Pracht) is an immortal who has lived hundreds of years in isolation. He's become unkempt, surly and depressed, and he lies on the floor all day screaming, "Despair... DESPAIR!" After his other anthropomorphic furniture got jobs in upscale European hotels, his only companion and caretaker is Only (Kat Evans), a human-lamp hybrid who plays matchmaker for her Master while attending to his affairs."
