Chicago Reader - Not Recommended
"...But perhaps the most glaring issue with Music Theater Works's production, directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo, lies in the way it juxtaposes grimness with guffaws. As to the latter, Zorro offers a dictator who ruthlessly imprisons anyone who questions him and uses the military against peaceful citizens. There is an attempted gang rape. In one prolonged scene, we see the Guantanamo-like specter of a hooded prisoner, hands bound. But all the day is, we're to believe, repeatedly saved by Zorro (Cisco Lopez), a Hamburgler-like clown who is as believable a hero as a week-old cheeseburger. Further, watching Nick Sandys's fight choreography is akin to watching children trying out their new souvenirs from the Medieval Times gift shop."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...There are plot twists and turns, amazing dancing including dazzling numbers where production collaborator Ensemble Espanol stuns with flamenco virtuosity. Of particular note was a rousing Bambaleo that closed the first act. The choreography by Laura Savage and Luis Beltran Urena is outstanding; passionate, athletic and physically embodying the plot line. There are also many solid sword fights by Nick Sandys. As the run continues they will, I hope, speed up a bit to achieve a breathtaking quality."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Somewhat Recommended
"...Music Theater Works, Zorro, The Musical, boast extraordinary aerial acrobatics, spectacular sword-fighting, and incredible magic. But unfortunately, this musical was more about gypsies, dancing, and a Zorro that never matched the seductive, captivating, and suave Zorro from the original movies. Finding actors proficient in swordsmanship with good singing and acting skills had to be something director Adrian Abel Azevedo struggled with casting for the role of Zorro and others, hoping to make them look realistic while handling the sword."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...Music Theater Works has become a bit daring in its move from Evanston's Northwestern Campus to Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Under the leadership of Kyle A. Dougan, Artistic Director, they have taken on new challenges that truly changed them from the old "Light Opera Works" of yore. Their latest adventure in theater is bringing "Zorro: The Musical" to its stage. Many of us know the character from books of adventure and of course the Walt Disney TV classic that ran for two years back in the late 1950's. I think Guy Williams became type cast. Other films have been made and of course those who love swashbucklers love the character, Zorro (the fox)."
Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended
"...But the highest praise must go to the hardworking ensemble of this production, particularly the dancers. While each performer brings sound skill and praiseworthy passion to this musical, ensemble member Isabel Ramirez stands out with her clear, rapturous vocals. And Flamenco Dancers Lina Bulovaite, Jocelyn Leving and Karla Tennies Koziura bring a truly authentic Spanish look and sound to this musical, with their posturing, spirited stomping rhythms and clicking castanets. It's too bad there wasn't more of this excitement throughout this production."
The Fourth Walsh - Recommended
"...An anonymous sword fighter defends a village from the persecution of tyranny. The legend of Zorro, a black masked super hero, is well known. The actual backstory is less familiar. Isabel Allende's pulp novel is the foundation for ZORRO the Musical. The creative team, Stephen Clark (book, lyrics), Helen Edmundson (book), Gipsy Kings (music) and John Cameron (music), spun Allende's story into a musical that premiered in 2008 in London. And now for a limited engagement, Music Theater Works brings Zorro to Skokie!"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Somewhat Recommended
"...Zorro: The Musical, meanwhile, up in Skokie, is a full-on regional premiere courtesy of Music Theater Works. The piece, based on the pulp tale of the masked Spaniard wrestling back his Californian colony from wicked hands, has played across Europe since 2008, and has theatrical bona fides in Stephen Clark (co-librettist) and John Cameron (co-composer), both of whom have collaborated with Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Les Misérables) on separate occasions. However, while they have that Euro-musical anthemic spirit down pat, most everything else tends to fall flat. The writers may have hoped that the character’s pulpiness could gloss over exceedingly broad character sketches and comedy, but, on press night, the effort only went so far."
