Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...As the familiar songs rolled by — all beautifully sung by the likes of Danni Smith and the ever-better Theo Ubique regulars Dana Tretta and Jeremy Trager — you find yourself realizing anew how well Rodgers and Hammerstein understood middle America and gave voice to its fantasies. Listening to “Grant Avenue” (from “Flower Drum Song”), you see that R&H took their audiences with them on exotic musical journeys to Siam or San Francisco, but never ducked the responsibilities of explicating those locales without patronizing the listener in Springfield."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...The songs chosen for this revue, directed by Fred Anzevino and choreographed by Ben Mason, are largely familiar. They are drawn from megahits such as “Oklahoma!,” “South Pacific,” “Carousel,” “The Sound of Music,” “The King and I” and “Flower Drum Song” — a list that easily suggests the worldliness of these masters’ outlook. But many of them are presented with an unusual twist that takes them beyond their purpose in the original musical. And a few lovely songs from lesser-known shows (“Allegro” and “Pipe Dream”) are an added treat."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"... The singing is good but not often vivid, the set is well-wrought but puzzling in its white-marble grandiosity, the lighting lacks focus, the choreography is merely nice, and the thematic ordering of songs creates long passages of emotional monotony. Even the wild abundance of tunes backfires: rather than display virtuosity, they begin to disclose the composers' tics. Everything's present in this Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre show, but none of it arrives."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...For those of us raised on the songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein when they were new, and for musical theatre aficionados generally, any well-done compilation of their songs will be a joyful experience, and this new Theo Ubique revue without question is well-done. Its limitations are the confines of a two-hour show: even presenting three dozen songs, it can only crack the surface of the R&H songbook. The lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein are deceptively simple and moving, and effortlessly incorporate U.S. idiom and slang. The tunes of Richard Rodgers are passionate, beautiful and rhythmic. Frequently, they also are glorious and profound in a Mozartian sense. As Rodgers famously said, "I can piss a melody.""
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Performed upon a shiny faux white marble set with arches, stairways and lit plexiglass, Adam Veness’ gorgeous scenic design simply says “classy 1930’s nightclub.” Not only a talented accompanist, Cook’s lovely voice and charisma securely anchors this show. Jeremy Trager’s rich, effortless baritone wraps itself around such songs as “This Nearly Was Mine” and the moving “Soliloquy.” That pint-sized talent with the pixie smile, Dana Tretta, shines in numbers like “I Have Dreamed” and “I Can’t Say No.” Evan Tyrone Martin’s light tenor beautifully caresses “Maria,” while lovely Sara Schoch belts out “Wonderful Guy” then sweetly croons “Out of My Dreams.” Danni Smith, while a bit thin in her higher register, does well with “Something Wonderful.” Unique musical arrangements, beautiful voices and captivating performances all add up to an evening that is absolutely enchanting."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Over the past several seasons, Theo Ubique has turned its tiny venue, the No Exit Cafe, into an unlikely showcase for innovative musical theater, despite terrible acoustics and cramped quarters seemingly laid out by a builder hell-bent on supplying every single audience member with a partially obstructed view. But what the space lacks in theatrical assets the company makes up in invention and vocal talent, managing on occasion to make even the overblown work of Andrew Lloyd Webber seem fresh and human-scale."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Some Enchanted Evening will renew your spirits and entertain you soul. It is so tuneful that you’ll be humming some of the songs long after you see the show. Kudos to Theo Ubique for their strong production values and their smart casting. This revue is wonderful!"
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Now sixty some years later, the classic musicals that changed theatre forever are still cherished today by fans of all ages. Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre gives you an excellent look into the work done by the dynamic duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. “Some Enchanted Evening” is a beautiful production that features over 62 songs, either fully sung or a fragment in a medley, with 34 on the program song list. Musical direction credit goes to rising star Austin Cook, whose musical arrangement is pure gold. Not only that but he also takes on the roles of pianist and performer; as a special bonus Cook brought in his own white baby grand piano to delight audiences with his amazing pianist skills."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...More than 30 songs with six powerful singers and one grand piano compose the delightful evening, bringing back some fond memories of these classic musicals.If you have ever been to No Exit, you realize how small this venue is; around 60 seats and a very small stage, on which the grand piano sits. The intimacy of this venue is of course part of what makes it so special- nothing fancy, just quality performances from talented young people who truly love making their music and pleasing their audiences. Under the direction of Fed Anzevino ( who started this company) with choreography by Ben Mason ( who makes the stage seem larger than it really is) and musical direction by Austin Cook, who uses his own piano and has magical fingers as well as a pleasant voice( he does it all!), this is an evening that will be remembered for time to come and if you are a couple, an evening of pure romance."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...The purest patriotism possible in this troubled land is just to love the subject of this show. The beautiful Broadway created by Rodgers and Hammerstein is broad indeed, and a way to everything that’s (still) good about America. We can enjoy the optimism of Oklahoma, dangerous ambition of Carousel, courage and tolerance of South Pacific, family values of State Fair, curiosity and growth of The King and I, assimilation of Flower Drum Song, and, well, the love of singing in The Sound of Music. It’s there in melodies (Rodgers) you could get drunk on and lyrics (Hammerstein) that feel good because they’re just true."