Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...My affection for this sleeper hit of the season flows from the sensibility of the director and choreographer, Matt Crowle, who, whether as a performer or a director, has a restless kind of attitude that infuses classic musical comedies not just with zest and exuberance (and a whole lot of tap), but an irreverence and spontaneity that cuts through the sentimentality."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Aguilar and Stephan make a charming duo. Moreover, Crowle's small but mighty ensemble is comprised of top-flight tap-dancing singers evidenced by the joyful "Shaking the Blues Away" and Humphrey's superb "Let's Say It With Firecrackers." The latter includes a duet with Nicole Scimeca, who alternates with Lily Kocourek in the role of Charlie, a precocious youngster whose sole purpose is to remind Jim of his increasingly dire financial situation."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...The singing was a little off-pitch at times, but that doesn’t affect the overall performance of this play. Instead, the original songs and dancing in this classic musical will have you tapping and dancing in your seats. As a result, audiences will enjoy Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...The “Holiday Season” is here. One of the annual events for theater people is that either “White Christmas”, Miracle on 34th street or “Holiday Inn” will be on an area stage. This year ( the year after the Pandemic closures) it is Drury Lane and “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn”. Directed and choreographed by Matt Crowle, this is a lovely romp filled with marvelous Berlin tunes like “Steppin Out With My Baby”, “Blue Skies”, “Heat Wave”, “It’s A Lovely Day Today”,”Cheek to Cheek” and so many more including “Easter Parade”. Berlin wrote a lot of songs. “Holiday Inn” was a film and later converted to a stage production. Because of the “White Christmas” song, many people get confused with the other film turned staged musical, “White Christmas”- it is a different story."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Drury Lane's second production, since reopening after the pandemic closure, is a warmly comforting, highly entertaining old-fashioned musical that spotlights exquisite dancing and gorgeous singing. The show features a nostalgic score by one of Tin Pan Alley's greatest composers. Of Irving Berlin's hundreds of well-known compositions, this warm, homey comedy is like a nostalgic 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 every holiday during the following year. Gifted with a wonderful cast of talented performers, brilliant director and choreographer, Matt Crowle, has recreated the magic and majesty of this Broadway hit with Oakbrook's spectacular, new Christmas musical."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...With so much recent sequestration and uncertainty for the days ahead, Chicagoland's musical theatre patrons should treat themselves to this finely performed, old-style Broadway show. There are far worse places to check in for a Christmas/New Year's staycation than Drury Lane's Holiday Inn."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...Just in time to ring in the season comes Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn" a refreshingly homespun backstage musical for the entire family chocked full of explosive dance numbers and the iconic tunes that everyone knows and loves from the Berlin songbook. In the capable hands (and feet) of director/choreographer Matt Crowle, with a streamlined book by Gorgon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, and a stellar company from head to toe, Drury Lane's "Holiday Inn" is a high-wattage hit!"
