Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"... To hear of his life and listen to his songs in a political season is, of course, to wonder where his type, the crusading, rural, populist left-winger from a small Oklahoma town, went. Democrats would say those folks were co-opted by fear-mongering and cynicism. Republicans would say the Democrats pushed them away. Maybe numerous Guthrie heirs (beyond Arlo) are playing away out there, struggling for airplay in the new world of big-media country. Or maybe Guthrie was always an individual, which is certainly how he comes across at Northlight, where Lutken evokes his life and music in what clearly is a well-honed labor of love."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"... “Woody Sez” is many magnitudes more polished and theatrical than the usual open-mike, folk-music party referred to as a “hootenanny.” But this Guthrie homage calls to mind the origin of that word as a handy catch-all term for a thing forgotten or unknown. Guthrie never forgot the frequently powerless people he met along the road. He captured their lives in song and reminded them that “This Land Is Your Land.”"
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Along the way the four-person cast doubles as an ear-pleasing Weavers-esque quartet. Songs by Guthrie and others are well performed, and the story is entertaining enough. But Woody Sez tends to soft-pedal Guthrie's political views, as if—like the radio executives who banned Guthrie for singing prounion songs in the 1930s—Corley and Lutken were afraid to offend Northlight Theatre's comfortable audience."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...The 90-minute show follows Guthrie’s life from his birth in Okemah, Oklahoma, through his family’s many migrations, to Texas, California, the Pacific Northwest and back again, with “The Ballad of Tom Joad” serving as a recurring touchstone. The four singers and musicians, who also include Darcie Deaville, David Finch and Helen Jean Russell, show off remarkable talent as they skip among snippets and excerpts of Guthrie’s extensive catalog; there are nods to the songwriter’s late contemporaries Pete Seeger and Leadbelly, as well as his influence on followers such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"... Woody Sez is not a high concept show, which may be its greatest virtue. The staging is a straightforward portrait of a great American created by four terrific entertainers who believe in their subject with a conviction that carries the audience along with them."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"... Woody Sex is a fast-paced,richly sung and expertly played glimpse into the life of Woody Guthrie. For us who know aboutWoody and for those unfamiliar (shame on you) with Woody Guthrie, this show has new insights into his life. We learn thathis mother was a singer who influenced Woody as an infant. We also learn the hard times his family suffered from mother’s pyromania. Woody started street singing in Oklahoma at age seven. His natural discontent led him to establish a wondering spirit in search ofharmony. It was a lifelong pursuit."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"... Created by David M. Lutken and director Nick Corley, Woody Sez allows the music of Woody Guthrie to tell the spirit of the man. David M. Lutken also plays the title role here and his dialect and mannerisms perfectly bring to life a man blessed with musical talents and a highly tuned sense of social justice. Lutken’s singing and guitar playing are also spot on and meshed well with the rest of the cast. The four person cast appeared very comfortable together and adlibbed well when things on stage did not go quite right (such as when Lutken popped a guitar string)."
