Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Yet Umoh and Resnik in particular do a fine job in making us believe in the ridiculous premise of the relationship between Deloris and Mother Superior, and in the evolution of that relationship. "Sister Act" may not take you to musical heaven, but the cast has enough soul and smarts to provide a critical Mass of entertainment value."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Careening seamlessly between the goofily sublime and the utterly ridiculous, "Sister Act" is pure musical comedy "nunsense" - a show (like the 1992 film that inspired it) designed to supply its audience with both a heaven and a hell of a good time, which is exactly what the current Marriott Theatre production does."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...In Marriott's loud, cartoonish version, the first act just drags. Director Don Stephenson allows his actors to indulge in the kind of over-the-top punch-line telegraphing that kills comedy. The music numbers fare better, thanks in part to Melissa Zaremba's pleasing choreography and Nancy Missimi's playful costuming."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...I highly recommend Sister Act as a very high energy, and entertaining show. Please note, some conservative Catholics my not approve of the contemporary subject matter. Although, I really wish that I had these nuns when I attended Catholic school. It just proves that even nuns can be fun! Also with the Chicago Archdiocese closing various churches and schools these days, perhaps we need to recruit some nuns from this production of Sister Act to keep them open. Just a thought."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...The songs are fun, delightful, inspiring and meaningful. The choreography (Melissa Zaremba) was placed and paced nicely. The fantastic costume designs by the never disappointing Nancy Missimi.
Sr. Mary Clarence makes some lovely friendships along the way and finally figures out what is important."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...The terrific ensemble of singing and dancing nuns were pure comedy gold. The perfectly delivered one-liners were some of the shows funniest moments. Lillian Castillo's infectious performance playing Mary Patrick, is perfection; Mary Robin Roth as Mary Lazarus was sheer genius; and Marya Grandy inhabiting the role of Mary Martin-of-tours had me laughing out loud in her all too few comic moments."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...In the case of Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire’s current production, “Sister Act” ( a regional theater premiere) the Broadway hit that was based on the hysterical Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name, I found the stage play to offer more than the movie could. Yes, the movie featured some of the great “Motown” hits of the day and the “lowly” musical version only has songs written by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glen Slater and a revised book written by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (additional material by Douglas Carter Beane) they have not strayed far from the original story written by Joseph Howard for the original film version."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...With an already built-in following, this production will undoubtedly draw even more believers into its congregation of devoted fans. True, this old-fashioned musical doesn’t break any new ground; that’s not the job of every show. But the Marriott has produced a joyful, family-friendly, warmhearted and very funny evening of entertainment. While celebrating the importance of seeing the world from another person’s point-of-view, this musical is also a tribute to the girl power that grows from a sisterhood of friends. Stephenson’s production absolutely sparkles with heart, humor and, thanks to Nancy Missimi’s blindingly stunning, habit-forming costumes, features more glitter and sequins than Cher’s closet."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...I entered the Marriott with gloomy thoughts of sitting through still another “Nunsense”-type farrago of sappy low comedy. What the Marriott delivered was one of the best entertainments of the season and a breakout showcase Melissa Zaremba’s choreography. What raised the enjoyment level of the evening even higher was the obvious pleasure the performers were taking in the show. Talent plus high energy can produce wonderful things on a stage."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...the show belongs to Resnik’s Mother Superior and Umoh’s Deloris. Resnik brings compassion and humanity to a part that could turn into a ruler-whapping stereotype. And Umoh is an effervescent fireball of energy and vocal power. From the heels of her purple stiletto FM boots to her halo of bouncing curls, she’s the kind of vibrant woman who could turn the apocalypse into a party. As for unlikely hero Sweaty Eddie, Butler-DuPlessis delivers a mix of low comedy and sincere emotion. When he lets loose in a Walter Mitty-like fantasy “I Could Be That Guy,” he’ll turn into your imaginary boyfriend on the spot."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Veteran Broadway and national Director Don Stephenson makes his Chicagoland directorial debut in this quickly-paced farce. Lovely and talented Melissa Zaremba, a fine dancer in her own right, choreographs Sister Act with the same harmonized precision the multi-Jeff winner, Music Director Doug Peck, brings to the cast's vocal numbers."
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...If you're coming to the show expecting a reenactment of Whoopi Goldberg and company's feel-good film where a wayward woman finds God and changes her life as well as the lives of others in need, you'll be disappointed. However, if you can forget what details you might remember of the 1992 movie of the same name, you might like "Sister Act" at Marriott Theatre directed by Don Stephenson."
