Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...This is no revisionist “Chorus Line.” Nobody messed with the music or the mirrors. This revival was directed by Avian, Michael Bennett’s original co-choreographer, and Bennett’s choreography is re-staged, very closely, by Baayork Lee, an original cast member who has made a long, subsequent career out of restaging this show, like Joey McNeely did with “West Side Story.” The result is likely exactly the way you remember this show, as seen in New York between 1975 and 1990, and at Chicago’s own Shubert Theatre for a full year in 1978."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Michael Bennett's "concept" show, with its Marvin Hamlisch-Edward Kleban score and James Kirkwood-Nicholas Dante book, drew heavily on the original dancers' mostly stereotypical childhood and adolescent memories of family dysfunction, low self-esteem and sexual identity issues. Yes, it still has a certain fail-safe show biz flash. And Bob Avian, Bennett's original co-choreographer, has slavishly re-created the audition world of mirrors, tears and an omnipotent, passive-aggressive director. But the thrill is gone."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Director-choreographer Michael Bennett's landmark 1975 musical feels dated in this slick, mechanical touring edition of the 2006 Broadway revival. The based-on-interviews book (James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante) and score (Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban) examine the difficult lives and quirky personalities of journeyman dancers. But the characters come off here as shallow stereotypes: the faded star, the shame-burdened queer, the high-energy black kid, the sexpot hiding her insecurities behind a bitchy attitude, etc."
Examiner - Highly Recommended
"...The Equity cast in this touring production is solid if not revelatory. Standouts include Kevin Santos as Paul, a Puerto Rican former drag queen whose monologue is a paradox of wrenching tragedy and unshakable hope. As the divalicious purring cougar Sheila, Shannon Lewis is a stunner whose aggressive sexuality barely masks the panic of turning 30 in a career that considers anything over 25 or so geriatric. Also memorable is Alex Ringler as the feroosh and fabulous as former stripper Gregory Gardner. Anthony Wayne brings explosive grace and athleticism to Richie, the overachiever who opts out of becoming a kindergarten teacher in favor of a career on stage."
Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Unfortunately for me, this cast as a whole didn't live up to the show's 20th-anniversary tour. No doubt some of the immediacy was lost by playing in a bigger theater, compared to a cozier space like the former Shubert Theatre."
EpochTimes - Recommended
"...While this production lacks the fire of previous productions, and I didn't feel the chemistry between Zach( Sebastian LaCause) and Cassie( Robyn Hurder), I still found that the music and the dancing are some of the best "stuff" Broadway has ever given to the people. The openness of the dancers being interviewed, their frankness about their families, their sexual awareness, their lifestyle and their futures ( and pasts) is beautifully written and songs like "At The Ballet", "What I Did For Love" and "The Music and The Mirror" weave marvelous thoughts in our head while telling us of the lives of these people."
Copley News Service - Highly Recommended
"...Michael Bennett’s miraculous original production weaves together song and dance and story into a whole so seamless that’s it was easy to underestimate the brilliance of Marvin Hamlisch’s score and Edward Kleban’s lyrics. All the songs illuminate the personalities and struggles of the dancers, and “One” and particularly “What I Did for Love” are stand-alone classics."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...For both the 2006 revival and the national tour, Director Bob Avian and original cast member Baayork Lee have faithfully recreated Bennett's production down to the period audition clothes and the traditional mirrored set. The decision not to update this production was wise; although timeless, the piece historically belongs to an era of synthesized music and determined optimism."
Edge - Recommended
"...A Chorus Line is a heart-and-soul musical theatre production akin to a grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup - satisfying and comforting, with a touch of zest."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...The cast members are pretty, natch, and dance remarkably (we’ll always be especially impressed by the technical skill it takes to intentionally dance poorly, as they must when “learning” the routines). But most fall well short of the acting mark, particularly two anchors: Robyn Hurder as Cassie, the veteran vying for a fresh start, and Kevin Santos, whose linchpin monologue as Paul falls flat. Even the pleasures of the score are missed with a combination of weak voices and a bad sound mix that has the cast drowned out by the orchestra, rendering complex sequences like “Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love” tough to follow. Overall? Dance: ten; hooks: three."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...The spectacular “One” is a most memorable show ending dance number performed flawlessly by the entire cast. A Chorus Line is a powerful tribute to anyone who dares chase their dream by creating and performing their art. If you have never seen A Chorus Line—get to the Oriental Theatre before May 3 to witness the power of a great musical."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...The songs range from funny to heartbreaking. The melodies and harmonies hook us. They are the best that Broadway musical formula has to offer, the kind of tunes that you can hum after your first time hearing them. This is the style of songwriting that has been copied, to varying degrees of success and failure, ever since. The singing in this production is fine but you can't help but get the feeling that much of it is phoned in."