Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...And if it’s a reliable seasonal dessert you crave, Miller and Mahler deliver the goods with The Big Song. This isn’t the “White Christmas” you used to know, exactly. But it’s a perfectly enjoyable homage with some welcome flavorful twists."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...This stage version, on the other hand, nails the romantic angle by limiting itself to one romance and one romance only, thank you. Ted is no longer trying to steal and then marry Jim’s girlfriend, he’s just trying to get a new dance partner. And Linda, too, is no longer an ambitious singer, but is now an ex-performer and the farm’s ex-owner, a local school teacher who lost the house after her father died. She has reasons to be there which have nothing to do with the men."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Marriott Theatre's regional premiere of "Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn" delivers exactly what audiences expect holiday shows to deliver. It puts smiles on their faces and a spring in their steps."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...In 1939 Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland were in a film, “Babes In Arms” , where the famous line was said “”Let’s put on a show”. And for years and years, stories have been written following this theme! In the year of my birth, 1942, another film was made following that theme. The film was Holiday Inn ( not to be confused with the hotel chain) and was the story of an entertainer who “bought a farm ( not bought THE farm) in Connecticut to start enjoying retirement. It did not work out, so his friends helped him convert the farm to an inn that put on holiday shows ( thus, the title). The book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge might be called “hokey” and “corny”, but the music is from the Irving Berlin “songbook”, so this show is very entertaining."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...Almost two dozen irresistible Irving Berlin songs. A love-versus-career and city-versus-country story line with a triangular romance for a twist. Winningly edgy humor and show-biz realism. Tap dancing that is guaranteed to knock your socks off. Elaborate costumes. A cast that can do anything and everything – and, to top it all off, do it in the round. And finally, a year’s worth of holidays that will have you marking your calendar well in advance."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...Marriott’s latest production is a pleasant, entertaining old-fashioned musical that features a nostalgic score by one of America’s greatest composers. Of Irving Berlin’s hundreds of well-known compositions, this homey harmonic comedy is like a ramble down memory lane, offering more than two dozen much-loved songs. As timely as mistletoe, the show begins just before Christmas and runs through the holiday season of the following year. Gifted with a wonderful cast of talented performers, director and choreographer Denis Jones has recreated the magic and majesty he brought to Broadway with this theatre’s most recent holiday hit."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...“Holiday Inn” is an audience show for customers comfortable with stereotyped characters, improbable storylines, nostalgic songs, and exuberant dancing. At least it is an improvement over “White Christmas” on stage. I also thought the selections from the Irving Berlin canon are better, and Johanna McKenzie Miller’s front and center performance will give any musical production an edge."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...All said, this is a truly stupendous production and the finest old-style Broadway show on a Chicagoland stage this season. There’s no good reason a true aficionado of musical theatre can give for neglecting to check into Holiday Inn."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...The troop is a terrific ensemble of dancers and singers who tap away New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Easter and the Fourth of July, while singer Hardy (think Bing Crosby gestures) mixes it up with dancer Hanover (who has great tap-dancing moves) while the woman in their life try to figure out what they want."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...From the hotter-than-hot “Heat Wave,” the elegance of “Easter Parade” and “White Christmas” and all the holidays in between, when you step out with your baby for this one, you will definitely “Have Plenty to be Thankful For!” Don’t miss it!"
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Even if you don’t need to be whisked away from today’s turmoil by a heartwarming story from a simpler time, even if you don’t need to replace the sometime-drone of contemporary music with the unique melodies of a golden age musical theater composer like Irving Berlin, you do need to see the dancing in Marriott Theatre’s “Holiday Inn.”"
