Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...If you are a fan of the excellent Max "dockumentary" called "Yacht Rock," a look without condescension at a genre of music mastered by the likes of Michael McDonald, Toto and Christopher Cross, let me draw your attention to Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Tell Me on a Sunday," now at Evanston's Theo Theatre on Howard Street."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...If you find Andrew Lloyd Webber?s musicals overstuffed and bombastic, you might be surprised by Tell Me on a Sunday. This one-woman piece, first produced in 1979, lasts only 75 minutes and has minimum staging requirements, which stands in contrast to the crashing-chandelier aesthetic and nearly three-hour runtime of The Phantom of the Opera. It?s a terrific choice for an intimate venue like Theo?s Howard Street Theatre. Particularly if you have Dani Pike on hand to play Emma, the bruised romantic whose ups and downs in love form the basis for the story."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Their current show might be considered more of a Cabaret evening. A show that is roughly 90 minutes in length with one performer, telling her story. The show is called "Tell Me On A Sunday" and was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber ( you recognize that one, don't you?) and lyrics by Don Black, who has written many songs including the lyrics from "Mrs. Henderson Presents". This work is not often done, primarily because it is a sort of one-act musical piece, perhaps even a chamber piece, telling of a woman's ( Emma) beautiful, yet raw look as love, heartbreak and finding her inner power from within during these ups and downs of her life and its struggles."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Recommended
"...Lloyd Webber's modest, pocket-sized musical isn't his finest work. It's an intimate story and, because of being slightly abstract, it's difficult to hook an audience and reel them in with a song cycle. The structure of this type of musical production is challenging and feels a little superficial because it vaguely only weaves its themes through song. The composer's bigger Broadway hits, like PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SUNSET BOULEVARD and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, offer much more in terms of substance, characterization and spectacle. That said, given that this isn't a show that's often produced, this is a perfect reason to catch it up in Evanston. But combined with a gifted leading lady, topnotch musical accompaniment and stage direction, and a lush scenic and lighting design, Theo Ubique has yet another production that will speak to every heart."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre
- Highly Recommended
"...It?s a sturdy showcase for a performer to show off their cabaret range (caba-range?), to put across a catchy yet delicate pop score, to run the gamut from wry light comedy to stiff-upper-lip resolve in the face of heartbreak. In which case, welcome to the Theo fold, Dani Pike?you got the chops and then some."
Evanston Roundtable
- Recommended
"...The one-woman show is a musical masterpiece for Dani Pike. Her voice is such a good match for the Andrew Lloyd Webber compositions. And her acting prowess, along with her 90 minutes of singing, keep our total attention and interest. The small live orchestra is in perfect timing with her performance. Both she and the music are a gift to the ears."
Splash Magazine
- Recommended
"...A one-act song cycle, the musical might catch some audiences off guard because of its scarcity of actual dialog. Lloyd Webber is credited for the book and composing the music for the production. As a result of some behind the scenes intrigue, Don Black rather than Tim Rice wrote its lyrics. There?s no question the music is splendid. And keyboardist and conductor, Evelyn Ryan; along with her all-female band, play it magnificently. But, because song cycles are groups of songs meant to be sung in sequence and as a unit, the story?s meat is in the lyrics. They?re our windows into the central character and the dynamics of her life."
Allie and the After Party
- Highly Recommended
"...If you?re not interested in one woman shows or musicals about finding yourself this might not be the show for you. But if you?re in the mood for a short bite of a musical going through the highs and lows of dating while still being true to yourself led by a phenomenally talented actress, Tell Me On A Sunday would be a good fit for you."
