Sanctified presented by Congo Square Theatre Company at Chicago Center For Performing Arts

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Derrick Sanders’ spirited Congo Square production is full of delicious character actors: Toi Overton (playing an organist who likes to give thanks to Jim Beam), Earnest Perry Jr. (a priggish deacon), Samuel G. Roberson (a disgruntled teen) and Ellis Foster, whose Bobby is a hilarious and good-hearted spoof of choir nerds everywhere. And along with a sweet performance from Laura E. Walls as the play’s moral conscience, the show has a genuine star performance from the hugely talented and very moving Donica Henderson, who nearly sings the roof off as a member of this choir who needs only to have confidence in herself."

Chicago Sun Times - Recommended

"...At the moment, "Sanctified," the new musical comedy produced by Congo Square Theatre Company, is a big, rambling mess of a show. Though it brims with exhilarating performances and is sparked by a blend of traditional music and new songs, the production -- written by Javon Johnson and directed by Derrick Sanders -- is in desperate need of a heavily pruned and sharpened script and leaner, meaner direction."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...Playwright Javon Johnson peoples the play with familiar folk: the self-important church Deacon, the choir pianist who drinks, the feisty but wise old lady, the hip-hop kid and so on. But Johnson forgets basics such as exposition, so all we get are two-dimensional stick figures rather than real people. Is Rev. Jones married? Is he new to the congregation? We never find out, nor is his conflict with Brother Deacon resolved or the future of the church settled. Also, for reasons unknown, two teen-agers sing with the crusty choir oldtimers and the guardian angels have no power. In character development and story, Sanctified is a lazy, shallow sitcom fleshed out with songs."

Centerstage - Recommended

"...Thanks to steady direction from Derrick Sanders, "Sanctified" is more polished and cohesive than a typical gospel musical. All of the actors, especially Ernest Perry Jr. as the self-righteous Brother Deacon, offer realistic and engaging portrayals of African-American church folk. The singing and catchy tunes by composer Rick Sims are worth the ticket price alone. Comic relief, provided by Elias Foster as the stuttering Bobby and Norrisa Pearson as the snobby Pauletta, never falls into dumb stereotyping (though it does come close)."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Amid the invariably superlative cast, Ellis Foster, as developmentally disabled Bobby, earns commendation. Employing Waterboy -level signifiers of mental impairment, Foster achieves humanity by embodying not just Bobby’s underlying heart o’ gold, but, hilariously, his clipped, bitchy and altogether universal way of manifesting frustration. This conscientious portrait achieves the utter radiance of Sanctified’s most rousing gospel hymns."