Marionette Macbeth at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Tribune - Not Recommended

"...Here, the live actors sit at music stands at the front of the house, with their backs to the audience. This configuration work doesn't work well for a couple of reasons. It wastes space and pushes too much of the audience too far away from the puppets -- most people can't fully see the gorgeous details of the marionettes. And it seems to have disconnected the actors from the wooden bodies doing the physical acting."

Chicago Sun Times - Recommended

"...The production is a feat of cross-cultural expression, as well as a handcrafted work of remarkable beauty, detail and wit. One of its most captivating qualities is the way the craftsmen (perhaps inadvertently) have envisioned the architecture and landscapes of Scotland so that they appear vaguely Italian."

SouthtownStar - Highly Recommended

"...The striking special effects of lightning, thunder, smoke and fire created by lighting designer Franco Citterio and sound designer Lindsay Jones evoke a suspenseful sound-and-fury mood. And the lush music by composer Fabio Vacchi provides a dreamlike atmosphere."

EpochTimes - Highly Recommended

"...Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier is renowned for the work they do in staging productions, but they are much more than just a Shakespeare Theater. Just when you think they have been as creative and innovative as a company can be, they find something else to amaze Chicago audiences. There current magic on stage is a production of "Macbeth", Shakespeare's tragedy, is performed by Marionettes ( the amazing Compagnia Marionettisica Carlo Colla ( Italy's most famous family of Puppetry) on magnificent sets, with richly designed costumes, great lighting , marvelous musical interludes( composed by Fabio Vacchi) and seven very talented Shakespearean actors supplying all of the voices. This is indeed a special event for our city and I am sorry to say they are only here until March 25th."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...With Colla and Buckley’s adaptation, which preserves the play’s main plot and its most famous quotes, Buckley’s live actors don’t assist matters, giving their characters cutesy cartoon voices—because they’re embodied by stringed puppets? The 170-year-old Carlo Colla e Figli is a company clearly worthy of respect but, in this case, only that."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...Shakespeare’s tragic tale of the Scottish Thane who murders his king is told by a excellent cast of classic actors. Martin Yurek, Christopher Kelly, Lisa Dodson, Joe Foust, Matt Penn, Jim Mezon and Neil Friedman deftly give voice to the marionettes."