Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...Like all such entertainments, this one is very much dependent on the charm of the hostess, and the very personable (and personal) Grelle has plenty to spare. One is gently coaxed, whoever one may be, through this fast-moving retro extravaganza, a fine night out and an escape from all the troubles of the world."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...As always with Grelle’s work, describing it tends to deflate the experience of seeing something that moves between high camp to subtle commentary. And also as always, it’s highly entertaining as spectacle, aided here by Caitlin McLeod’s fold-out set, Quinn Chisenhall’s lights, Alaina Moore’s delicious costumes, Jackie Berland’s props, and Keith Ryan’s extravagant wigs. Grelle is laying out his obsessions for us with encyclopedic and dizzying breadth. What we take from it is up to us to reconstruct."
Windy City Times
- Highly Recommended
"...Grelley Duvall Best Actress is a two-hour recap variety show that showcases a multitude of movie moments at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. The overall theme focuses on females and will keep theater goers guessing what campy classic will come next."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Highly Recommended
"...The award for best actress in a leading role goes to…. Grelley Duvall!
The first time I heard the name Grelley Duvall was after “Grelley Duvall V” closed in
spring of 2025. Now I’m kicking myself over every Grelley show I’ve missed since the
2015 debut in Steppenwolf’s “Lookout” series."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...If you are “into” Drag and Gdender Bending, love old movies, love old actresses, or just love life, you will have a ball at The Chopin Theatre, as they present, on their “Main Stage”, The Grelley Duvall”Best Actress” . a two act musical revue, written by Alex Grelle with Jesse Morgan Young. The production is the World Premiere and while it is not my favorite type of theater, this show is full of laughs and some highly talented performers."
Buzz Center Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...The Oscars might be over, but this “Best Actress” is just getting started. Welcome to the weird world of the Grelley Duvall Show, or Alex Grelle. His unique approach to cabaret has amassed quite a fanbase over the years. Suffice it to say, there’s nothing else quite like it. In two acts, Grelle and his team blend his favorite female performances with highly choreographed musical numbers set to toe-tappin’ hits performed by a live band."
The Fourth Walsh
- Recommended
"...The show starts with a film montage. An eclectic hodgepodge of iconic and obscure clips feature actresses across decades in movie roles or award shows. The mash-up snippets lead into a longer cinematic scene where the Mother Superior is giving instructions to a young nun on a mission. Is this a real reel or parody video? Is this show a drama or comedy? Is Alex Grelle a campy performer or serious actress? The complex answer is Yes!"
