Play On! Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...I very much enjoyed the return of this unpretentious show, which features strong vocals and richly marinated comedy flowing from the lead performances of Krystal Joy Brown, Alan H. Green, James Harness, Kaylah Janssen and the very guileless Hailee Kaleem Wright (a name to watch). Chicago's James Earl Jones II adds more comedy and, well, you can just tell that Epps has literally decades of experience with a piece he conceived as a much younger man."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...So in “Play On!” the musical based on the music of Duke Ellington and now running through Oct. 18 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, when two characters talk about how much they love the song “Mood Indigo” before it is performed, you think, “I am ready for something great.” If you happen to be a reviewer, especially one who also loves the song “Mood Indigo,” you think, “OK, this is what they want to be judged on.”"

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Even if Play On! at Chicago Shakespeare Theater was terrible—which it isn’t—you should see it to get your first glimpse of Hailee Kaleem Wright, who in this musical adaptation of Twelfth Night plays the heroine, Vy, with a voice that could launch a thousand ships. The rest of the cast is strong, but Wright is a towering talent. You’re going to want to be able to say you saw her in Chicago before she wins her inevitable Tony Award."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...The music here, conducted by Theodis Rodgers Jr., is top notch. Actually, I cannot stress enough how great the music of this show is: its Duke Ellington done lovingly full bore. And Edgar Godineaux's choreography, including some leap from your seat fine swing numbers, is the stuff of Great White Way dreams( and kids replicating them in your living room.)"

Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended

"..."Play On! boasts an impressive collection of 23 remarkable songs that truly capture the essence of jazz and swing. Among the standout tracks, not previously mentioned, are classics like 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore,' 'It Don't Mean A Thing,' and 'Drop Me Off in Harlem.' Remarkably, 22 of these songs were written by the legendary Duke Ellington, except for the iconic 'Take the A Train,' featured in the play and written by Billy Strayhorn. The production is a visual feast, brimming with dazzling dance performances and captivating singing scenes, making Play On! an unforgettable theatrical experience and this year's Must-See performance.'

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"..."Play On!" is the magical transformation of Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night into a modern musical that rejuvenates the original gender-bending story. The fusion of the Bard's original romantic comedy with Duke Ellington's songs and jazz compositions is nothing short of extraordinary! Written and conceived by Sheldon Epps and first produced in 1996 at the Goodman Theatre and later on Broadway in 1997, the three-time Tony-nominated musical has made its return to Chicago, now in its run at the Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. This is one of the best shows that you'll see all year and can rival anything that you might see in New York or London."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...This is one happy, hilarious musical that theatergoers will be flocking to see. It’s a perfect fit for Chicago Shakespeare Theatre since the toe-tapping musical is based upon the Bard’s classic comedy, TWELFTH NIGHT. Not only is book writer Cheryl L. West’s adaptation clever and creative, it’s as if Duke Ellington’s music was composed especially for this story. Since both the show’s story and music are familiar, spending a couple hours luxuriating with PLAY ON! is like reuniting with an old friend after many years’ absence. But this glorious musical won’t be at Navy Pier forever. So don’t wait! Take the A Train to the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre for one of the finest productions of the Fall Season."

The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended

"...Viola is a songwriter. Her dreams take her to New York where the Duke is king. To meet her idol, Viola disguises herself as a guy. The Duke is impressed by Vy-man and coerces him (Viola) to woo his estranged muse, Lady Liv. Vy-man's persuasion works too well. Lady Liv falls for him (Viola). Yet, Viola is smitten with the Duke. Meanwhile, Sweets wants Mary, Mary wants to marry, Jester wants two women, CC wants one man and the Reverend is in crushing on Lady Liv. PLAY ON! Is a delirious swirl of romance."

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...If music be the food of love, then let’s use those hands for jazz, not jerky. The subtitle of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is “or What You Will,” a challenge that Sheldon Epps accepted when he created Tony-nominated Play On! in 1996, with a book by Chicago native Cheryl L. West and music by Chicago-friendly Duke Ellington."

Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended

"...I mean it. It was incredible. She was incredible. There was the show before Brown sang ‘I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues”: outstanding. Then came the blaze. And there was the show after the theater was a smoldering ruin: Magic. I should probably try to describe it here, but I won’t. Can’t be done. Brown had already crushed ‘Mood Indigo’ in the first act, but this was something altogether more crushing, more extraordinary. It was magic."

PicksInSix - Recommended

"...“Play On!” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater doesn’t give anything away until the curtain rises. A dynamic opening number informs us that this Shakespearean comedy is taking place in 1940s Swing-era Harlem. Beowulf Boritt’s set design and Adam Honoré’s lighting design meld to create electric, dramatically leaning streets and buildings, the most important of which is the Cotton Club."

Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended

"...Chicago Shakespeare Theater opens their 40th Anniversary Season with a melodic bang as they produce the Tony-nominated musical, Play On! Original director Sheldon Epps returns to the production which he conceived with fellow playwright Cheryl L. West in 1996. In this new rendition, Epps and the Chicago Shakespeare company marry the geniuses of William Shakespeare and Duke Ellington. What is brought to the stage is a celebration of the Black American experience, the Harlem Renaissance and fun-filled music."