Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...What I liked best about Corti’s production can be summed up in two sentences. His show is fearless, often doubling down where others would demur. And it is brimming with original ideas."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...You can say this for the Paramount Theatre's staging of Mel Brooks' "The Producers:" Director Jim Corti has fully committed to the show's unapologetic ridicule of every race, creed, color, religion and sexual orientation. What we have here is a stupendous production of a show that by all rights should not be as funny as it was when it premiered in Chicago in 2001."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...If the bold, brassy, audaciously irreverent "The Producers" is the musical theater equivalent of an ice cream sundae, its tasty albeit entirely politically incorrect centerpiece "Springtime for Hitler" is the cherry on top."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Let's Play 'Highly Recommend' that you see 'The Producers. You will enjoy the never-ending crazy antics, which will make for a night of loud, boisterous laughter, but, what you expect from a Mel Brooks show. It's after all the best comedy play in town, and it happens to be at Paramount Theatre!"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Jim Corti! You have done it again! Yes, once again, Jim Corti and his staff at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora have produced a Broadway Show on their stage in Downtown Aurora that is comparable to anything that New York might send through as a road company. This, is in fact, very close to what we witnessed back in the pre-Broadway try-outs of the original Mel Brooks "Musical" version of his movie, on its way to New York."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...As is always the case at the Paramount, the production is on a grand scale. And along with Corti’s brainy and fearless direction there is sparkling choreography by Brenda Didier (everything from tap dance, to a lovely Astaire-Rogers duet, to a German clog and an elaborate Follies parody), an impeccable orchestra led by music director Tom Vendafreddo, and a spot-on, easily morphable ensemble."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...The show offers a gifted group of triple-threats, directed with flash and affection, and supported by an equally talented team of behind-the-scenes artists. Filled with clever dialogue, unrestrained naughtiness, politically incorrect plot points, titillating characters, plenty of adult humor, lots of catchy songs and snappy choreography, all performed by a terrifically talented cast, Paramount’s latest offering is a real winner. This production is undeniable proof that “When You Got It, Flaunt It.”"
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Well, one could go on and on itemizing the pleasures of this revival, but you get the idea. This is a technically complex show behind all the seemingly effortless musical production numbers and skitlike dialogue. Many people will enter the Paramount with previous versions in their playgoing experience. These people will be reacquainted with how brilliant the Mel Brooks classic remains and discover new flourishes that will freshen their enjoyment. As for people seeing the show for the first time, all one can say is "Lucky you!""
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Only Mel Brooks, America's no-tastemaker, could pull off a magic trick like that, and he's been pulling it off since 1967, when he pointed and laughed at the Third Reich just as much as he did at the showbiz amorality that saw nothing wrong with the idea of a new neo-Nazi musical. Of course, it helps to remember said musical is merely a front by shyster producer Max Bialystock and accountant-cum-shyster producer Leo Bloom to exploit a loophole in tax law that would make a Broadway flop more profitable than a hit. In other words, it's all in good fun."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...The crisp and finely tuned 21-piece orchestra is conducted by Tom Vendafreddo, who also serves as music director. The impressive and colorful William Boles set design and ingenious Jordan Ross costumes-on full and glorious display in Morrissy's brilliant "I Want to Be A Producer," and the show-stopping, "Springtime for Hitler,"-are flat-out spectacular, as is the sound design by Adam Rosenthal, Jesse Klug's lighting and projections by Mike Tutaj. Much more will leave you laughing in the aisles at the big, beautiful Paramount Theatre-but only until March 17th, so you should line up now or risk breaking a leg or two in the stampede to get into this one!"
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Although not yet springtime for Paramount in Aurora, their near-perfect production of the musical comedy “The Producers” is a good enough reason to make the drive."
