Proxy presented by Underscore Theatre Company at The Understudy

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Unfortunately, there's a lot of narrative throat clearing in the first act before we get to the heart of that relationship, and some of the awkward transitions in Stephanie Rohr's staging deplete the momentum as well. Yet there are enough solid interludes in Proxy to hope that the creative team will take—wait for it—another stab at the material."

Theatre By Numbers - Somewhat Recommended

"...I'd hesitate to recommend "Proxy" without an assurance from the authors, or from Underscore, that the minors whose stories have inspired this musical have given their blessing for this project to explore a dark time in their lives. Without some proof of due diligence, this production is asking audiences to ignore the real individuals who potentially had no say (or knowledge) in how this story was crafted. If I were the inspiration for a musical, I'd want to know. "

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...This is another impressive production by the only theatre company in Chicago that's devoted to producing exciting, new musicals and bringing them to life. Like their previous productions "Carrie 2: The Rage" and "Haymarket," skillfully directed and magnificently performed by a gifted cast of five, this chilling new show is not only appropriate for this time of year, but it's a gritty, sometime humorous, musical that's as moving and thought-provoking as it is entertaining."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Somewhat Recommended

"...In the case of their newest musical, Proxy, I still hesitate to suggest cuts, but not for any prescriptive reason. It’s a piece that needs cuts — really needs them — so much so, perhaps, that they would reveal just how strangely timid and anemic the musical is, deep down."

Chicago On Stage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Regan and Franco do make a great decision in the interview scenes, though: despite the fact that there are some good songs here, they allow the considerable dialogue to be spoken rather than sung, lending both power and verisimilitude to the meetings. Proxy would benefit from more of that. At the moment, it's a decent early version of a play that has tons of potential. I'd love to see it again after it's been polished."

Picture This Post - Somewhat Recommended

"...The packaging of this story of rapprochement between victim and victimizer might be more compelling to those who favor punk music above all other musical genres. It will also help if you are a twenty-something perhaps, or for other reasons won't feel fidgety at the dialogue's lack of depth. Even though it is about trauma, there seems to be little need to give a trigger alert. This production never crosses the bar into feeling real, at least for this writer."