Hey! Mr. Spaceman! Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...the script doesn't offer the kind of cleverness Schwartz excels at, but the production hits a major sweet spot with its setup. The Building Stage has been designed to resemble a drive-in movie theater, with a live band, a hokey announcer, and a functioning "Snack Shack" concession stand where you can buy popcorn and a Coke in a longneck bottle."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Bob Kruse's staging shows off Allan Roysdon's clever video vignettes, Beth Stare and Sarah Scanlon's aerial feats as feuding martians, and a rocking four-piece band. The story gets stuck in neutral a few times, but there's no stopping the toothsome, goofy performances--especially Weston Davis's put-upon Snack Jerk and Nawrocki's anguished nerd girl in love."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...Lesser parodists approach their source material with condescension, the great ones with sincere affection - and Schwartz is one of the great ones. The production's biggest flaw is that some of the high-concept theatrical flourishes, (such as trapeze work by the Martians) feel out of place since there simply aren't enough of them, but that is easily forgiven. "Hey! Mr. Spaceman!" should be seen by anyone who appreciates craft, heart and wit."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Spaceman’s pacing quickens when—through a wrinkle in space-time better left unquestioned—the aliens onscreen literally trapeze-dance their way into Riverview to capture Robot Boy, who has escaped from their ship (Sarah Scanlon and Beth Stare’s trapeze work, though majorly superfluous, is hold-your-breath exhilarating). A rousing cat-and-mouse game ensues, underscored by lively musical numbers backed by a five-piece onstage band. Much like a drive-in movie, Spaceman’s worth it not so much for the drama as the atmosphere."

ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended

"...Hey! Mr. Spaceman! has great potential, but ultimately wanders to nowhere. It takes nearly an hour before any real conflict develops, which is not good in an 80-minute play. This may have been easier to endure in the play was not laden with snail slow pace. The play boasts to be “trapeze-infused”, but there is nothing thrilling or original about the two moments."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Of all the critiques I have written this has to be one of the oddest shows. That is by no means a negative term. It was full of the 1950’s stereotypes. The clothes were distinct, the cheesy catch phrases, and the cardboard and tape robot were priceless. The songs were catchy and hysterical to listen to. The movie that starts the show was actually well shot despite the fact that it was supposed to be very amateur. It had the necessary qualities of knowing how a film should be shot and the style it needed to be shot in. I love the quick second of the script supervisor in the frame."