Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...It's not this accomplished troupe's best-ever work — the non-Equity cast is ragged around the edges, and the production has its stutters. But this show is anchored by a warm, melodic, emotionally rich performance from relative newcomer Jess Godwin in the role of Mary Hatch, perfect wife. And although young David Heimann doesn't capture every nuance or depth of the tricky role of George, he nonetheless offers a very honest and likable performance that avoids cheap choices."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Just when you think you know everything there is to know about a modern classic, you take your seat for a production like "A Wonderful Life" -- Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo's musical version of the 1946 Frank Capra film "It's a Wonderful Life" -- and begin to see and hear a whole lot more. Porchlight Music Theatre's charming, insightful take on the show, now at the Theatre Building, is a perfect example of this."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Sincere, but not overly sentimental, Porchlight Music Theatre's production of the musical version of Frank Capra's holiday classic features a first-rate cast led by David Heimann and Jess Godwin as George and Mary Bailey, and the great Peter Pohlhammer as the menacing Mr. Potter."
SouthtownStar - Somewhat Recommended
"...Even though Chicago's Porchlight Music Theatre gives its all in mounting the story of "It's a Wonderful Life" set to music, there is no way it can match the original Frank Capra movie classic."
Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...A Wonderful Life failed as a Broadway musical because there’s no compelling reason to musicalize the film and, besides, the score isn’t memorable. Still, for this Chicago premiere, Porchlight Music Theatre does its customary first-rate job. Director L. Walter Stearns and choreographer Matt Raftery retain the story’s heart and soul, with David Heimann passionately strong as George, Jess Godwin sweetly moving as Mary and Peter Pohlhammer as a towering Mr. Potter with a villain’s basso voice."
Chicago Free Press - Recommended
"...the power of the performers and the show’s message ultimately redeem it. The last 45 minutes is a stunning feat of pertinent emotionalism that applies to all lives. In fact, this version of “A Wonderful Life” will leave you counting the ways that your own life has turned out unexpectedly. It will also remind you, emphatically, that it is still a beautiful, amazing existence and one not to be dismissed or thrown away lightly."
Gay Chicago Magazine - Recommended
"...Musically, the show sounds great. As always, musical director Eugene Dizon has done an exemplary job rehearsing and perfecting the voices. The orchestra’s performance is topnotch, with special praise bestowed on Derek Weihofen, who plays his flute with beautiful tone and expression."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...So why would anyone want to recreate the inimitable magic of Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life as—of all things—a stage musical? We enter the theater with that question, and we leave with it. With a score that implants itself in the mind with all the permanency of an Etch-a-Sketch, what this flavorless, colorless musical gets so wrong isn’t that it messes with an iconic text. It’s that it thoroughly misses the original’s character."
ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended
"...This is a serviceable show that is family-friendly as it conveys the spirit of small town America. While not one of Porchlight Music Theatre best productions, A Wonderful Life offers fresh holiday fare. Eugene Dizon’s orchestra sounded terrific and the ensemble was excellent including nice work from Stan Q. Wash as Ernie, Steve Best as Sam Wainwright, Jeff Borck as Harry Bailey and Doug Long as Uncle Billy."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Not Recommended
"...The true wonder is that Porchlight, which has received consistent acclaim over its 11-year history, would have selected this tired and uninspired retread. "A Wonderful Life" may mark an all-time low for Porchlight, although it's hard to fault Director L. Walter Stearns' cast for their vapid material. David Heimann and Jess Godwin are likable and adequate enough in the lead roles of George and Mary Bailey, but not enough to win our interest much less empathy. It could be argued that there is not enough talent in all of Chicago to compensate for the thoroughly bland book and score."
