Chicago Tribune
- Not Recommended
"...We're trapped in our seats as the show moves through the songs, briskly and with little nuance and wit. Bracken is a full-throated treat, particularly in the opening "Science Fiction/Double Feature" number, but the rest of the cast feels as if they're phoning it in. You'd be better off renting the film and throwing a Rocky theme party."
Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...the talent on hand is strong enough to make these problems look like amiable quirks . . . as long as the audience isn't expecting a prime-time experience. I say shave a few minutes off the current 90-minute running length, cut ticket prices, push the shows back a couple hours, embrace BYOB, and voila: a failed revival becomes a fun experience."
Chicago Theatre Addict
- Somewhat Recommended
"...I do think the show could really take off if the ensemble could focus more on maintaining the energy than literally stopping the show to move overly complex set pieces between scenes."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Recommended
"...Now running, leaping and soaring at the Heartland Café Studio (with a canned accompaniment), Ludicrous Theatre Company’s sturdy 80-minute revival of Richard O’Brien’s cult musical is, like its sources and story, out of this world and louder than life. Wayne Shaw’s staging features an effectively attractive cast, including David Goodman’s FrankNFurter (resembling Gloria Swanson with muscles), Suzanne Bracken’s bosomy, flame-haired sexy Magenta, Kirk Jackson’s suitably-endowed Brad, Mara Stewart’s slut of a Janet, Kevin Buswell’s strangely sexy Riff Raff, Brian Elliot’s hapless Dr. Scott, and J. Keegan Siebken’s boy-next-door bombshell of a Rocky Horror. The five masked Transylvestites looks like jaded extras from “Party Monster” and seem genuinely nostalgic for their unseen planet. “We don’t dream it...We become it!”"
Let's Play at ChicagoNow
- Somewhat Recommended
"...If you’ve never been to the movie, Ludicrous‘ THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is a good introduction to the crazy rock musical. If you’ve seen the movie, either go in with an observant attitude. OR dress up, bring supplies and take charge! After all, a theatre company calling itself Ludicrous must enjoy spontaneous chaos!"
Chicago Theater Beat
- Recommended
"...I titled this review ‘Redemption’ because the last Ludicrous production I saw, Lilith, was not so great. Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror is a great production of the Richard O’Brien classic. Ludicrous Theatre has staged this play as if the audience were in a failing movie house watching so-bad-it’s-good science fiction. The theater becomes a porno house on some days. I was greeted by "Ma" in a dumpy cleaning lady get up. She ushered me to my seat and groused about how filthy the place was and how horrible pornography was. She proceeded to grudgingly clean up the sticky floors and wall sconces. It was a good pre-show bit. I loved the B-movie trailers and segments of "The Behemoth", "Them!", and "It Came From Outer Space 3D". Lines such as "I believe that what we are seeing is a Biblical prophecy come to life!" are perfect for the kitschy postmodern era portrayed in Rocky Horror."
