press

“A constantly tuneful, utterly charming, frequently insightful and laugh-out-loud hilarious musical comedy… a winner from start to finish…. Director Mike Donahue and librettist/translator Meg Miroshnik know how to bring this

Soviet satire smack into the here and now.”

-Andrew Patner, Chicago Sun-Times (full story)

“Great fun… Director Mike Donahue keeps the human traffic moving at such a zany pace… and Shostakovich’s music is such a thoroughgoing delight…

COT is off to a strong start”

-John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune (full story)

“Mike Donahue’s imaginative direction was an object case in making something out of minimal resources with Donahue investing his cast with a comic energy and youthful enthusiasm… A hugely enjoyable evening for fans of opera as well as musical theater.”

-Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review (full story)

“Effervescent new production… a combination of superb onstage talent, inventive production ideas, and colorful orchestration… not-to-be-missed, a perfectly crafted confection of wacky satire and gentle hope.”

-Wynne Delacoma, MusicalAmerica.com

“A fun-loving romp, Cheryomushki welcomes visitors with promises of better lives, and this opera delivers on that pledge with larger-than-life exhilaration… Director Mike Donahue fills the town with vibrant personalities…

there is a lot to love!”

-Katy Walsh, Chicago Theater Beat (full story)

“Highly successful production… The show’s freshness and anti-authoritarian spirit – under director Mike Donahue – reflects the essence of the company’s crisp modern profile in the Windy City”

-Nancy Malitz, Chicago On The Aisles (full story)

“Flawless direction… this blast from the past is a joyous find.”

-Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Stage Style (full story)

“[Donahue’s] inventive direction riffs on every note, every measure of Shostakovich’s music… A colorful, fascinating and memorable show!”

-Sergey Elkin, EuroChicago.com (full story)

“Smashing, ebullient, remarkable”

-Christine Malcom, EDGE

“A fun-filled romp with historical relevance… obviously relevant for today’s world… Definitely a unique, thought-provoking fun night!”

-Margaret Eva, ChicagoCritic.com