Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...The reason Lauren Weisberger's satirical memoir "The Devil Wears Prada" became famous was not just because of the juicy schadenfreude-y movie with Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. It's because Weisberger was self-aware enough to see that the thirst for power included herself."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...One major problem with director Anna D. Shapiro’s staging of the musical “Prada,” starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Miranda and Taylor Iman Jones as Andy, is its underwhelming sense of fashion. Frankly, you’ll see more creative silhouettes on any given season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Costume designer Arianne Phillips often tries to make sparkle or oversized graphic prints atone for unimpressive design, but much more than a bit of superficial flash is needed. Every look — from an ill-tailored red dress Miranda wears to the office to the bulbous, armless, Michelin-man-worthy creations purporting to be cutting-edge Parisian runway couture — looks under-budgeted and poorly finished."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Thankfully, the rest of "The Devil Wears Prada" creative team has been in town to make daily tweaks to this Broadway-bound musical filled with razzle-dazzle moments. "The Devil Wears Prada" has the makings of a buzz-filled hit, but the show is still in need of some editing to live up to both Lauren Weisberger's best-selling 2003 novel and its beloved blockbuster movie adaptation from 2006."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...The new Broadway-bound musical version of The Devil Wears Prada has a haute couture pedigree, including a score by Sir Elton John and direction by Anna D. Shapiro, formerly the artistic director of Steppenwolf, making her debut as a musical director with this show. And of course it's stepping into the Louboutins of Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, who starred in the smash 2006 film version of Lauren Weisberger's 2003 tell-all novel about the fashion industry."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA is a heroic achievement. With a cast of 27, a great-sounding orchestra, and spectacular scenic, lighting, and costume designs, audiences who come in loving the material will experience an evening of explosive joy. Are there still bumps to iron out? Indeed. But congratulations to the producing team. And kudos to Chicago audiences who showed up and stood up for this pre-Broadway tryout!"
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The Devil Wears Prada was Haute Couture and Prêt-à-Porter with high-end fashion from the Runway Magazine, to the Runway Ball, to Fashion Week in Paris. In addition, the musical highlights how fame and the desire to be famous can quickly derail us from discovering ourselves and the things that matter most. And, just as glamourous as a job in the fashion industry, the transformation of Andy was mesmerizing to watch."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Chicago is becoming a breeding ground for Broadway Musicals. Why not? After all, we have the best audiences in the world. Our audiences are composed of people who love the theater, not just those who say they saw a particular show. Lately there have been many books and or movies that have been converted into a spectacular musical. The latest is Kate Wetherhead's "The Devil Wears Prada", which became a sensational movie. This particular show is destined to have a cult following. Those who fell in love with the book and the film will surely be in the audience for the musical. At tonight's opening, there were screams from every corner indicating that even during previews the "devil lovers" were out there."
WTTW - Not Recommended
"...To get straight to the point: If you've been considering splurging on tickets to "The Devil Wears Prada," the new musical based on the immensely popular book by Lauren Weisberger published in 2003, and the 2006 film starring Meryl Streep, you might think again before heading to the Nederlander Theatre where the show's planned Broadway production is having its world premiere tryout."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Chicago has been home to several pre-Broadway runs all of which have done quite well once on the Great White Way. This current production of The Devil Wears Prada is no exception."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...Director Anna D. Shapiro, along with her design team, paces this tight and with flair. Shapiro’s talented ensemble are ever-moving as they continually strut, sneer and scorn. Christine Jones and Brett Banakis (scenic and media) use a revolving stage to aid the people and rooms gliding from the forefront to the background quickly. As a prelude to the ball, Shapiro stages the chorus singing and dancing in front of the curtain. They exit. The curtain lifts. A grand staircase is revealed. The haughty, hottie models majestically descend. Later, the action moves from NYC to Paris elegantly as two side structures bend together. And when Andy returns to NYC, falling cherry-blossoms create a dream-like sequence. This show is really, really pretty! "
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Somewhat Recommended
"...Needing some more work before its move to New York, the ultimate fate of The Devil Wears Prada is in capably professional hands along with the opinions and depth of pockets containing expendable entertainment dollars. But what should not be lost in consideration of this production is the biggest stage opportunity it’s giving to two longtime members of Chicagoland’s musical theatre community referenced in paragraph one. Break legs, Marya Grandy and Sawyer Smith. See you both on Broadway."
Third Coast Review - Somewhat Recommended
"...Making its pre-Broadway world premiere in Chicago this month, the new musical version of Lauren Weisberger's (and the 2006 film adaptation) The Devil Wears Prada has the feel of a couture gown still in pieces on the mannequin, all unfinished seams, cloth swatches and straight pins. There's clearly something beautiful and fun to behold in there, and it might even be gorgeous one day with a bit of polish and tailoring. But in its current state, the new musical-directed by Anna D. Shapiro, with a book by Kate Wetherhead, music by Elton John and lyrics by Shaina Taub-feels like that in-progress dress, full of potential but certainly not ready for any window displays just yet. The show is so new (and still, one presumes, in flux) that its merch table consisted of little more than a couple of t-shirt options, a magnet and a keychain, and the playbill itself doesn't even list the musical numbers yet."
PicksInSix - Recommended
"...In its usual fashion, Chicago welcomed another debut to the world stage with “The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical” at the historic Nederlander Theatre, with music by Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub, and a book by Kate Wetherland. The packed house fervently cheered as the theater was filled with the sound of echoing high heels, and the curtain rose to reveal devilish red stilettos, clacking their way across the stage to start off the pandemic-postponed premiere. We were ready for the runway!"
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...Jaw-dropping design and a stand-out cast make The Devil Wears Prada a night of fun. Especially if you have fond memories of the 2006 film, this is the musical for you."
Splash Magazine - Recommended
"...Have you checked out THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, THE MUSICAL? Having read the book and watched the movie several times over the years, I felt like I needed to add the musical to my list as well."
BroadwayWorld - Somewhat Recommended
"...The book of the musical by Kate Wetherhead hits most of the comedic moments. It's only fault it that it sticks to the script of the iconic 2006 film a little bit too closely that screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna should probably be fighting for co-writing credit."
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...It's one of the better songs but, alas, "The Devil Wears Prada" is mired in theatrical purgatory. Most surprisingly, the music by Elton John and Shaina Taub is not memorable, a problem for any musical but a huge issue when the creator's iconic status launches expectations into the stratosphere. Most of the stronger tunes, like the titular "The Devil Wears Prada" that closes the first act with a spectacular ball based on the Met Gala, are EDM-driven, which is completely on point for a fashion show, but not exactly the stuff of show-tune singalongs. Nor is, I'm afraid, the show-tuney would-be hit, "Dress Your Way Up.""
