Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...You'd be surprised how many productions of "The Music Man" miss this truth — shows that unleash those "Seventy Six Trombones" without forging any particular connection between Harold Hill and Marian Paroo, let alone Harold Hill and Winthrop Paroo (he's Marian's brother). But not Rachel Rockwell's production at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. This latest stellar offering at the historic venue about an hour's drive from the Loop offers a variety of pleasures, including a pit that might not contain 76 pieces of brass but does contain more than enough musicians to render the rarely heard overture to this piece in all its glory. But the main accomplishment of this show, designed by Kevin Depinet with an apt frame motif, is the way it brings truth and high emotional stakes to this very familiar story, so often shrouded in caricature."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"... Although most people hear the name of Meredith Willson’s classic 1957 musical and immediately start singing “Seventy-Six Trombones,” or “Ya Got Trouble,” or “Gary, Indiana,” the real key to the show is in its brilliant a cappella opening sequence, “Rock Island,” in which a train car full of traveling salesmen, lurching every which way during a jerky ride, engage in rapidfire syncopated talk about the salesman’s game."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Meredith Wilson's The Music Man is indisputably on of the greatest musical ever created and under the masterful direction of Rachel Rockwell it is getting one of its best revivals in the last twenty years at Paramount Theatre."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"... If ever a show spelled out summer, it’s Meredith Willson’s 1957 masterpiece The Music Man. Throughout the rollicking story the title character exudes sunny optimism and buoyant confidence, a contagious flimflam that “Professor” Harold Hill wants to believe as much as the suckers who take it in. For four magical weeks beginning on the 4th of July, Hill’s buoyant drive fits the season like a picnic – and the musical is even more appreciated in the bleak midwinter."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"... whatmakes The Music Man so enjoyable are thebig production numbersand the rich sprinkling of humor. Besides the marches, the musical has fun showstoppers like “The Wells FargoWagon” and the barn dance styled “Shipoopi” with stylist tunes like”The Sadder But Wiser Girl.” Terrific romantic ballads such as “My White Knight” and “Till There Was You” and the cute “Gary, Indiana” sungnicely by Johnny Rabe completethe fine blend of waltzes, marches and anthemsthatremind us of the innocence of early 20thCentury America. The Music Man is a great Broadway musical thatneeds tobe revivedfor each generation to experience. It was nice to see many children and teens in theopeningnightaudience.Take you children and young folks to the ParamountTheatrein Aurora toseewhat a “great’musical is all about. Thelow ticket price and the expertproduction values makes the ride out west to Aurora worth it."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"... “The Music Man” with book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson and story by Willson along with Franklin Lacey, this is a show that almost all of America has seen either on the stage or the hit movie. This is the story of a “huckster” salesman who travels the country, in particular, small town America to swindle the community- what he sells is dreams!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...The visuals for ‘The Music Man’ are fun and emblematic of a large Broadway musical, with scenic design by Kevin Depinet, lighting design by Jesse Klug, and Sound design by Jeff Dublinske. But it is Melissa Torchia’s costumes that add the extra touch of personality. Her attention to detail allows the audience to understand each character instantly, from Hill’s reversible suit coat that changed to a band leader’s jacket to the colorful dresses the town ladies wear during “Pick a little, Talk a little” which evoke chickens through hat feathers, frills, and trim."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"... “The Music Man” can stand on its artistic merits as a classic American musical but it may be especially gratifying to bask in its old time innocence when today’s audiences face the stresses of living in a complicated 21 st century. It’s fun for 2 hours and 35 minutes to sit in a beautiful historic theater and bask in the nostalgia of a simpler bygone time."
