Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...By the recent, formidable standards of the Drury Lane, this clunky, conventional and underpaced "Singin' in the Rain" has to count as a disappointment, even though the crowd Friday night seemed to enjoy itself. In fairness, it should also be noted that Jenkins' production was inevitably stymied by the loss of its initial lead actor, Sean Palmer, who was injured during the preview period (hence the delayed opening, allowing the eager Yazbeck time to quickly get here from New York and find his galoshes). As fans of the movie well know, this piece requires very particular three-way chemistry among the trio playing the roles originated on-screen by Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor. And although Yazbeck and Jenny Guse are perfectly pleasant and competent, if rather bland, in the two lead roles of big movie star and emerging ingenue, you just don't feel like they have much going on between each other, be their days rainy or sunny. Only Matthew Crowle, whose hugely enjoyable Cosmo Brown is by far the best thing in this show, really finds enough of a charismatic through line, enough unpredictable life, to really make the structural clouds roll by."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"... Clearly director Bill Jenkins had a slew of things to deal with here —from the departure of his leading actor, to the elaborate waterworks, to the silent film sequences and more. But he seems to have built the show by moving from big number to big number, rather than by focusing on the crucial element of flow and connection, and the need to maintain emotional energy by means of seamless transitions. Too often the air goes out of the storytelling, the chemistry in crucial relationships is missing, and there is no sense of a cohesive acting style among the performers —with some playing far too broadly and cartoonishly and others naturalistically."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...No stage adaptation can hope to recreate everything that's great about that musical, which pokes fun at Hollywood's transition to the talkies. But this Drury Lane Theatre production comes pretty darned close. Part of the reason is outstanding special effects, including an onstage rainstorm. But most of the magic is in the show's universally strong performances. Triple threats Tony Yazbeck, Matthew Crowle, and Jenny Guse take the roles associated with Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds and make them their own."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"... It was a textbook example of the American Musical, lively and entertaining from start to finish. Director Bill Jenkins is to be commended for assembling a great team and orchestrating a really fine show. The leads are great, and doubly so for stepping into such giant roles with confidence. It’s a daring feat for an actor to step into the shoes of Gene Kelly, or Donald O’Connor; Tony Yazbeck and Matthew Crowle do it and do it well."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...Jenkins's production plays out with reverence for its source material mostly by way of imitation, made even more self-aware by a surprise drop-in video visit from Debbie Reynolds herself. Jelly-legged nice guy Matthew Crowle pays homage to Donald "Make 'Em Laugh" O'Connor, and in the charmingly self-pitying "What's Wrong with Me?," Melissa Van Der Schyff amusingly broadens screechy silent-screen diva Lina Lamont with some welcome and genuinely funny shades of Cyndi Lauper. Kevin Depinet's scenic design drips with throwback studio soundstage grandeur, while lighting designer Julie Mack gives warm, Technicolor attention to the engrossing and disarming "Beautiful Girl.""
ShowBizChicago - Recommended
"... Drury Lane’s newly mounted Singing In The Rain is easily one of the best produced and designed shows in the theatre’s history. The lighting, sets, costumes and film sequences are meticulously put together to make the stage version of the hit 1952 film musical glimmer on the proscenium. More than anything, Singing In The Rain is a sure fire way to keep their audience demographic bemused over the holiday season. The problem is, though Singing In The Rain is stellar in its production values, as a show there is not much there."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...There is humor, lovable characters, terrific dancing with fine vocals as one of the most beloved musical movies comes to life at Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre. The tight production values and the sheer energy of the cast captures us and keeps thrilling us throughout. Singin' In The Rain is one of the best musicals produced in Chicago this year! Don't miss it. With ticket prices from $35 to $46, you get a Broadway caliber show for less than half the price with free parking."
Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended
"...Drury Lane's production has had its own share of misfortunes, not the least of which is having to replace their original Don Lockwood after the leading man suffered an injury. Tony Yazbeck, whose considerable Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tour and regional experience have earned him the respect due to a bonafide triple threat, was brought in as a replacement and the show's opening was postponed to allow the necessary rehearsal time. Yazbeck certainly can sing and tap with the best of them, but there's very little chemistry between his Don Lockwood (the Gene Kelly role) and Jenny Guse's Kathy Seldon (the role made famous by Debbie Reynolds). Ms. Guse turns in an adequate performance but lacks that requisite sparkle."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Amber Mak and Crowle share the choreographer credits, with Crowle responsible for "Make 'Em Laugh," one of the great set pieces in musical history, with physical embellishments that occasionally trump the movie version. The large chorus handsomely serves up the big production numbers "Beautiful Girl" and Broadway Melody" with Ziegfeld Follies glamour. As Kathy Seldon, Jenny Guse shows a fine pop singing voice "Lucky Star" and "Would You" and she can dance and act, too. The best pure singing of the evening comes from tenor George Andrew Wolff, who leads the pageantry of the "Beautiful Girl" number."