Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...To the happier news: this script gets a far better production that it really deserved, being stocked with so many big talents that you even start to understand why Northlight picked the piece as a showcase. This is a great role for Nalepa, who long has deserved more opportunity in Chicago theater and Munch is as genuinely formidable as Fain is warm, generous and charming. Actually, everyone is alive and enjoyable. And in director Jessica Thebus’ uniformly skillful production, I was especially taken by the costumes created by Samantha C. Jones; they are rich and humorous enough to function as a hand-crafted character all on their own."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Director Jessica Thebus and her top-notch cast and crew have a field day bringing this theatrical love letter to life. From Samantha C. Jones' gorgeous period costumes to the determined and comical performances by Nalepa, Resnik, Slusher and others, everything works in tandem for "Into the Breeches!""
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...Director Jessica Thebus tackle these huge issues with a sense of humor. There are heartfelt moments; when a couple of the ladies don't receive letters back from their husbands. However, the writing never gets too sentimental."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...George Brandt’s “Into the Breeches” now on the Northlight stage takes us back to 1942, here in Chicago and our Oberon Playhouse. The director is off at war as are the leading men, so how can this theater stay alive? The director’s wife, Maggie ( a delightful character interpretation by Darci Nalepa) decides to do the “anti-Shakespeare” by doing one of his plays, but having women play all of the male roles. While the actual point is that they have no choice, Brandt under the fine tuned direction of Jessica Thebus uses this to discuss the issues of gender and race that still face us today, some 76 years later."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...This is a charming, disarmingly entertaining play with a strong message. It’s filled with humor, history and social commentary, that’s sure to appeal, especially, to the more mature theatergoer. Jessica Thebus has brought George Brant’s play to life with with vision and vigor. In Northlight Theatre’s final production of the 2018-19 season, audiences will cheer these steadfast characters whose only goal is that show must go on."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The success of “In the Breeches!” relies on the acting and directing not pushing the social commentary or comedy too hard. The Northlight production is a perfect pitch show that arouses curiosity about other comedies George Brant may have written. The drollest touch in this show is the title, which all audience members who know their “Henry V” should recognize."
Chicago On Stage - Recommended
"...In the end, I liked the play but could not fall in love with it. Something about Brant’s episodic structure, which requires the actors to stop frequently to change the scene, kept me at a distance even though Thebus was apparently quite cognizant of the problem, creating little character moments while changes were happening. This distance, though, did not prevent me from enjoying some wonderful performances and appreciating the many positive messages the play has to offer."
PicksInSix - Recommended
"...The contribution of women on the homefront was the tipping point for the women’s movement in the post-war years. Thebus’s fine ensemble and creative team—Arnel Sancianco’s set and costumes by Samantha C. Jones—illuminate a story that serves as much as a glimpse into the inner workings and politics of the performing-arts world as it does a telling commentary on gender equality and women’s rights, with lots of room for laughs along the way."
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...“It was cute, but I didn’t love it,” said the elderly woman who filed out behind me after “Into the Breeches” at Northlight. I don’t usually take into account what others say about a show, particularly in a review, but that line struck: a stranger articulated perfectly and simply how the show made me feel."
