Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"..."Sweet Charity" also sounds terrific. Under musical supervisor Patti Garwood, Coleman's score is positively groovy. The iconic opening of "Hey, Big Spender" (you know it: Bump-bump-a-dum-bump-bump!") is ridiculously carnal, and the lush intricacies "Where Am I Going" gleam."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...Still, Charity dreams and then meets a man who might just give her that peaches and cream life -- nervous accountant Oscar (the ever-endearing, always funny Alex Goodrich). They meet on the way to a self-help seminar and bond while trapped in a stalled elevator. Then, they find themselves at a revival presided over by Daddy Brubeck, played by the charismatic Kenny Ingram, a Marriott favorite son who delivers a praiseworthy performance of the irresistible "The Rhythm of Life.""
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Alex Sanchez's choreography gracefully translates Fosse's iconic dance moves to the Marriott's in-the-round theater space. But his direction is less graceful. Simon's fine book is given short shrift, and neither the terrific choreography nor Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields's songs can carry the show alone."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Sweet Charity has been a musical since 1966 and has been performed throughout the world, so it’s not anything new under the sun here; but we feel you will genuinely enjoy seeing this 2 hours, 30 minutes performance."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...This adorable musical , with a score by Cy Coleman and sparkling lyrics by Dorothy Fields ( great names in musical theater) is now on the stage at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire with a bubbly young cast of skilled actors .True musical theater-goers know that the original production was conceived, staged and choreographed by Chicago's own Bob Fosse and under the skillful direction and choreography of Alex Sanchez, one feels that Mr. Fosse is looking down with a big grin on his face. Sanchez understands the Fosse "feel"!"
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...But the real reason to see this show - which was originally created by director-choreographer Bob Fosse for his wife, Gwen Verdon - is for the dancing. And at the Marriott, director-choreographer Alex Sanchez and his excellent dancers have captured Fosse's signature style with great panache, and added plenty of flourishes of their own in such sensational numbers as "Rich Man's Frug" (with its highly stylized "posh set" affectations), "Big Spender" (with the hilariously jaded attitudes of the working girls), "The Rhythm of Life" (with its funky hippie era, cult church antics), and the celebratory "I'm a Brass Band.""
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...While the book for this sweet musical has a few problems, most obvious is the unresolved ending for Charity's search for love, Marriott's production is first-rate. Expertly directed and choreographed with class and grooviness by Alex Sanchez, accompanied by Patti Garwood's terrific orchestra and fine-tuned by Ryan T. Nelson's precise musical direction, this is a show that will be long remembered. It's performed with heart and soul by a gifted cast, and brings the vibe of the 60's into the twenty-first century. In its optimistic message of never saying never, this musical offers a rousing, flashy, finger-snapping, soulful "Rhythm of Life.""
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...The Marriott revival reinforces Alex Sanchez as one of the hot choreographer directors in Chicagoland theater. His choreography elevates the so-so musical" into an exhilarating evening when the dancers take over. I may be shortchanging the talented Anne Horak, penalizing her for being too attractive for the role. When she joins the chorus in the production numbers, the stage lights up. And the contributions of Alex Goodrich cannot be overestimated."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Of course dance-first Sanchez’s other significantly evident contribution to this production is his majestic, Fosse-inspired choreography that makes his Sweet Charity a true movement showcase. The company’s performance of the three-scene interpretative dance break, “Rich Man’s Frug,” is alone worth the price of admission; additional shout out to frequent Marriott and this show’s Dance Captain Laura Savage."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Recommended
"...When Charity Hope Valentine is asked why she believes in love, she replies, "You have to have some religion." In "Sweet Charity," a show replete with good lines, after all Neil Simon wrote the musical's book, this expression lies at the heart of the story."
PicksInSix - Recommended
"...Anne Horak’s self-effacing performance is a force of nature bringing a Broadway-sized talent to the intimacy of Marriott’s stage. Harok delivers a multi-faceted singing, dancing, comic gem of a performance. Alex Goodrich’s hyper-active, uber-sensitive Oscar Lindquist falls head over heels in love with Charity. The two are a perfect cast in this highly-paced, finely-tuned production."
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...Charity, played by Ann Horak, is the center post of Sweet Charity. She is in most scenes, singing, dancing, lamenting, hamming it up. Horak gave her all. I'm a Brass Band, with Charity and the ensemble, brought cheers from the supportive audience. However in this writer's view she was simply miscast-- lacking the vinegar edge of Charity portrayals one may be accustomed to in other productions of this work. Horak is lovely, but more in the mode of a North Shore deb; the role of Charity needs more sass and lower class."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The production truly comes to life though when Alex Goodrich (Oscar Lindquist) enters the stage toward the end of the first act. A classic Neil Simon neurotic, Oscar adores his sweet Charity but maybe not unconditionally. The production also dazzles in its choreography with director/choreographer Alex Sanchez nailing the big Fosse dance numbers, which are perfectly complemented by Patti Garwood’s full throttle orchestra."
