Chicago Tribune - Not Recommended
"...But the book, set in Chicago and penned by Javitch and Elaine Jabenis, is a long, long way from being ready for professional performance. The lyrics are rough indeed. And even though many of us love and respect our parents and grandparents, and fear their loss, the expression of that affection in the theater can lead, as is the case here, to perilously predictable and unearned sentiment. Furthermore, a beloved central character talking to God in the theater is, you might say, a tricky device. Tevye's conversations in "Fiddler on the Roof" set a high bar, and in that show they were subtle enough not to have God answer back with the sound of a firecracker."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...but Genesis Theatrical Productions sacrifices substance for sickly-sweet schlock. Heavy issues like the Vietnam war, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust get short shrift to make room for dancing Golda Meirs and songs like the aerobics-themed "Stretching and Kvetching.""
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"...Perhaps the script’s biggest problem is its need to visually depict every dramatic moment from Rose’s past. Why not trust the characters’ ability to tell and not show these incidents?. Besides creating a needlessly choppy production, these vignettes only diminish Rose’s story with the very incidents that shaped her life. The clumsy, noisy set shifts compound this problem. Certainly some careful rewrites would transform this piece about the importance of the oral tradition into the touching, humorous musical it deserves to be."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...There’s nothing wrong with Rose wanting to pass on her cultural heritage to future generations, but we lose sight of her amid all the history lessons (which are presented in pretty shallow terms, by the way), and Rose comes to seem tangential to her own story. Consequently, the show’s relentless heartstring-plucking has little effect. After all, it’s hard to mourn a woman about whom we don’t know a thing aside from her religion and fondness for mahjong. Director Zak’s production benefits from crisp pacing, smooth transitions and an endearingly earnest cast, but everyone involved could stand to up the anguish a bit and tone down the sickly sweetness."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...The songs are sung adequately with a clear enunciation upon Gerald Bailey’s tuneful musical direction. Baily’s music never drowns out the singers despite the bad acoustics in the South Stage 773 space. Heather Haneman’s cute choreography added a human touch. This celebration of the human spirit as told through Rose Lieberman is a tearful as well as moving musical that leaves us with a warm feeling that it is good to be a human! While the musical is about a Jewish family, its roots are universal – family – tradition – legacy all reign. From Generation to Generation is a terrific show for synagogs and community theatres. Rose’s journey is inspirational as told with a fine score. The show is family friendly."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...The score is haunting ("Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel & Leah," "Soldier Song" and "Once Upon a Time") and pleasantly jubilant (a stretch and kvetch exercise and a hilarious tribute to Israeli Prime minister Golda Meir performed by Rose and her "Golda Girl" pals). The performances are warm and endearing, and the two hour play sends its audience out with a song in their heart and a sense of hope. For a mere $30, I say that is an extraordinary bargain these days!"
Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...While this show has possibilities, if they want to proceed in order to really reach the general market, they need to tighten up the story and get to the truth about leaving behind something of yourself, in a way that it crosses religious lines. They Greeks, Italians, Mexicans and polish all have similar feelings and emotions. There is no reason that this play has to be “over Jewish” in order to be sensitive. Trust me, these feelings and emotions are the same to us all. Yes there are times you will smile and times that you will feel that little tear rolling down your cheek, but to feel these emotions, “You Do Not Have To Be Jewish”."
Chicago Theater Beat - Not Recommended
"...This show would be fine if it came to your local synagogue and starred your neighbors. That’s where it belongs, in communities that need all the theatre they can get. Unfortunately, Chicago is not one of those towns. There’s a high bar, and at $30 a ticket, there are some high expectations. Genesis simply does not deliver."
