Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...With a score by Stephen Sondheim and a book by John Weidman, the musical "Assassins" presents a rogue's gallery of presidential assassins, or would-be assassins, from John Wilkes Booth to John Hinckley Jr., with the likes of Leon Czolgosz and Lee Harvey Oswald in between. Most musicals deemed audacious in 1990 do not seem so now. But as relived quite vividly on Friday night at the Viaduct Theatre, where there is a small but spirited new production from producer-director Billy Pacholski, "Assassins" is the exception to that rule."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"... In both directing and producing Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins,” now at the Viaduct Theater, Billy Pacholski takes on an especially tricky bit of business. The cutting neo-vaudevillian romp presents U.S. history’s arch villains — Lee Harvey Oswald, John Wilkes Booth, Squeaky Fromme and John Hinckley among them — in a jarringly empathetic light. You may find the deeds of our country’s most infamous miscreants monstrous, but there’s no denying the universal humanity that courses through the veins of “Assassins”’ misfit doers."
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"...Pacholski does succeed with a few unsettling images: Zangara's electric chair death, Fraim's execution by hanging, assassins' guns pointed in audience members faces. But the excitement fizzles quickly as the actors continue without much spark. Don't get me wrong; the casting and acting is pretty good, just a bit misguided. And the ensemble is a charming group whose entrance into scenes is very much welcomed."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...The director also eliminates the play's dreamlike shooting-gallery setting, making that meeting between Oswald and Booth, and every other fantasy encounter among the assassins, feel unsupported. We're adrift in an amorphous limbo set against projection designer Frank Mares's endlessly animated screen savers. Most damaging of all, Pacholski rearranges the order of the songs, mucking up the emotional arc. This production isn't totally flatlining, but it's severely wounded."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"... Assassins is really a character study of the human ego. More then just a show about killing Presidents, the musical delves into why these individuals embark on the course they chose. Mr. Pacholski has given us a character rich and superbly acted production of Assassins which will surely remembered for years to come."
ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended
"... Director Billy Pachalski’s scene changes wereclumsy slowing the show’s pace.The orchestra was fine except for a few sour brass notes and thecasteffectively could be heard despite not being amplifies. For fans of Assassins (andloyal Sondheim followers) will find much to enjoy in this production.I found the production stage worthy. The cast was far better than the material.I only wonder why the ticket price is a hefty $45 since this is a non-Equity production?"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"... “Assassins” is not an easy show to perform in as Sondheim’s lyrics are in many cases, tongue twisters and his musical range can go from low to high notes in the same measure, but this cast handles it to perfection. Kevin Webb is a divine John Wilkes Booth with great facial expressiveness. Sam Button-Harrison takes on the dual roles of the Balladeer who narrates portions of the story and then at the very end, deftly handles another three named character,Lee Harvey Oswald. So here, you have the first and the last with lot sof attempts in between."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"... The cast is very good, and their voices are excellent. Edward Fraim as Charles Guiteau, Libby Lane as Sara Jane Moore and Nick Druzbanski as Sam Byck all particularly stand out."
