Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...Few things are as pleasurable as watching an audience experience something that exceeds their expectations. This one has people's mouths hanging open."
Chicago Sun Times
- Highly Recommended
"...the 85-minute show that had a brief, sold-out run at the theater in 2005 (and left many clamoring for admittance), now has returned for a longer run. And, if anything, it is tighter, more polished and more fraught with white hot, sweat-inducing stunts than before -- all of them performed barely a hair's breath from where you might be sitting."
Daily Herald
- Highly Recommended
"...Narrated by the Little Girl (sweet-voiced Abigail Droeger) who escapes her family's domestic turmoil by immersing herself in stories, the artfully told tale unfolds on Brian Sidney Bembridge's industrial set. It's brought further to life with an original score by Josh Horvath, Ray Nardelli and Kevin O'Donnell and Andre Pluess (with lyrics by Rick Sims) that alternates from heavily percussive to ethereal to a lilting lullaby in a minor key. Supporting performances sweeten this visual treat."
Windy City Times
- Highly Recommended
"...Composers Kevin O'Donnell and Josh Horvath and Ray Nardelli's contributions can't be understated. The trio collaborated to create a soundscape that is alternately eerie, winsome and rollicking and serves to ensure a seamless flow between scenes."
EpochTimes
- Highly Recommended
"...It's back! Tony Hernandez's marvelous "Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale" is back at The Lookingglass Theatre and it is even better the second time around. This is a theatrical "happening" for the entire family featuring the Wallenda Family, Ringling Brothers and Cirque Du Soleil acrobats, this enchanting story is told with amazing style and in the intimate Lookingglass Theatre, we the audience almost feel as if the performers are within our grasp as they do trapeze work, silk work, and walk a tightrope within inches of the balcony seats. WOW! is probably the easiest expression to use."
Time Out Chicago
- Recommended
"...Brian Bembridge’s lights—which take us from disco to ocean floor and back again—might be his best, and are only rivaled by Josh Horvath’s sound design, which floods the room like a tidal wave. Whether or not this 70-minute show is worth the top ticket price of $60—that’s nearly a dollar a minute—is up for debate. But tipping the scales in favor of “yes” are Pietà-sculpted acrobat Almas Meirmanov as fierce warrior-god Ares, and new addition Anya Stankus as a kinky Aphrodite."
ChicagoCritic
- Recommended
"...While not a theatre piece in the strict sense of the word, Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale is wonderful entertainment that will please everyone. Abigail Droeger is a highly talented young actress with limitless potential and a precious voice. Her masterful performance as the child narrator – onstage the entire time – gives the story its fairy-tale feel."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Highly Recommended
"...Tony Hernandez's creative aspect of this production was clever and different and his work stood out in a crowd of average productions around town. Even though there were veteran circus performers from the elite ensembles of Ringling Bros., the Wallenda Family, and Cirque du Soleil, the material used was fresh and seemed even more challenging to execute as the stage is much smaller than anything you would view the other large circus companies around. Overall, I cannot say enough about how wonderful this treat of a production is and it is definitely a must see for all!"
