Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Unfortunately, William Osetek's production attacks this tough show straight down the middle, which is the worst possible spot. The piece needed either to be played with a broad wink to the audience or as a fast-moving, high-tension adventure. Here, you get neither. The actors are all hard working, but this show suffers from a chronic lack of freshness and spark. None of the characters -- humorous, heroic, romantic -- really pops."
Chicago Sun Times
- Recommended
"...It's slighter than slight and lighter than air, with a campy touch of Cold War anxiety that dovetails nicely with the current missiles-go-round between the United States and Russia. That makes the Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace Theatre's revival of "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman" the quintessence of summer family fare, especially if you have a taste for cotton candy."
SouthtownStar
- Not Recommended
"...Superman flies with the help of very fat, very visible cables in "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman," a musical comedy revival playing at the Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre. But he doesn't fly with the greatest of ease in this dud of a show."
Chicago Free Press
- Not Recommended
"...The harebrained 1960s plot makes itself up as it goes, getting little propulsion from surprisingly forgettable songs with their ingratiating wink-wink, nudge-nudge lyrics. The cast can frug it up till the cows come home but tunes like “Pow! Bam! Zonk!” just refuse to win us over."
EpochTimes
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The script by Robert Benton and David Newman is a weak story about the "Man Of Steel" and although this is supposed to be a tongue-in-cheek look at the Superhero, I think they needed a larger tongue or a smaller cheek. It really didn't do it for me. I am a notorious laugher. Even the other reviewers know when I am enjoying a show and my laughter rings throughout the theater ( no matter large or small)- with a few exceptions, I was unheard!"
Time Out Chicago
- Recommended
"...Osetek has the good sense to approach the show as an unapologetic period piece set in a perfect comic-strip world, thanks largely to the hyperkinetic choreography by Tammy Madder and Robert Kovach’s fantastic Sunday-funnies set. And he’s assembled a cast of consummate pros and licensed them to have as much fun as possible."
ChicagoCritic
- Recommended
"...It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s Superman! is a fun show that will surprise you with fine music, many laughs and more smart dances that you’d expect from the title. It is a cute, worthy show that sports excellent production values and a hard working cast that gets everything from the material. It’s innocence and light heart wins us. Kids will love this show."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Recommended
"...Kudos to Drury Lane and Director William Osetek for reviving this pleasant relic which, unlike DLO’s most recent "Something’s Afoot," is really worth a second look. Little ones in the audience may be disappointed by the extremely hokey flying devices created by Hall Associates Flying Effects, which resemble cumbersome cranes with fully visible wires and harnesses. And Robert Kovach’s Scenic Design is functional, if not terribly inspired. Those are really the only elements at which this production fails to soar. Music Director Margaret James’ pit band has rarely sounded better, and the performers are first-rate."
