Darling Grenadine Reviews

Melissa from Chicago, Illinois

NOT AS THE THEATER DESCRIBED

The theater billed the show: "Bittersweet...melding of off-beat, whimsical humor and serious themes of denial and loss." That's rather misleading. There wasn't anything whimsically humorous in the part we saw. My dislike is of the play and writing, only. The actors were fantastic and very talented. I thought their talent was wasted on this production. Maybe I should have known better when the most common thread in postings before opening night only commented on the amazing handling of the puppet dog. I understand it's supposed to be "realistic" and real life is messy. But I certainly wasn't expecting this after reading "off-beat, whimsical humor." Setting aside the Theater's unfortunate description, the characters didn't inspire enough interest or sympathy for us to stick around after the intermission. I felt guilty about leaving early until I saw the line to get out the door. I like serious, thought-provoking productions. This didn't fit the bill.

John S. from Buffalo Grove, IL

AURAL & VISUAL DISAPPOINTMENT

If giving zero stars was an option, I'd do it in a heartbeat. How do I despise thee? Let me count the ways... Flat panel monitors line the perimeter of the stage to display images conveying season and place were more of a distraction than anything. It's as if the audience couldn't be trusted to conclude that, "oh, this is taking place in a restaurant/theatre/apartment/whatever." If going with minimalist, be committed to the concept. Combined with songs that would never burrow into your head, let alone become standards, along with a trainwreck of a protagonist, it was easy to cut one's losses during the intermission and vanish. Dinner at Embers was the high point of the night. If you must dine there, I recommend the 5:15 seating, as the kitchen can get bogged down.

Bob Reynolds from Chicago, Illinois

A SORRY SHOW

I considered leaving after Act 1, but stayed for the dreadful conclusion. It had to get better, didn't it? No, it got slower and more painful. I found myself counting down the remaining songs the same way you count miles left to your destination. The performance is about 2-1/2 hours in length and about 2:29 too long. The only redeeming moment was the performance by a live dog at the very end of the show.

Tom from Chicago, Illinois

WASTED EVENING

As a long time subscriber to the Marriott Lincolnshire Theater I can only say that this musical may give me pause to renew for next season. This was absolutely the worst play I’ve seen at this theater. The performers were very good, but I enjoy being entertained by a good script. Darling Grenadine was anything but entertaining. Very depressing. I considered joining those who were leaving during the intermission without intention of returning. But I stayed and it only got worse.

Jackie Anderson from Carpentersville, Illinois

I THOUGHT I WAS IN HELL.

As a subscriber, I feel I should be refunded for sitting through this catastrophe. There were 4 of us who went and none of us could figure out who the extra characters were, why they were there or what their presence there had anything to do with anything. The title made little to no sense and what point was it to have a song about black licorice (pronounced lick-er-iss)? I'll never know. There was no flow, concepts that made no connections and a really creepy marionette dog. The stage setup caused us not to be able to see several scenes and I've never seen so many people leave at intermission. I wish I joined them and didn't give the play a chance to improve during the 2nd half. It really just got worse. And the vulger language was completely unnecessary. By the end I was cheering for the lead character to commit suicide so we could leave. It took everything in me not to get up from my front row seat and leave in the middle of the 2nd half.

Debbie from Vernon Hills, Illinois

WORST SHOW EVER.

This was the worst show I have ever seen at the Marriott Lincolnshire. The 1 rating I gave it is about 1,000,001 points more than it deserves. My sister and 2 girlfriends were counting down for it to end. The traffic jam at intermission was just as bad as the normal end to a show. DON'T GO UNLESS YOU ENJOY BEING IN HELL!

Mark from Naperville, Illinois

POINTLESS

There was no point to the play or to the songs. The marionette dog and trumpet player also seemed like they came from some other play. It was a waste of time and money, like last year's pay about the 2 guys who played all of the different roles by just switching hats. I don't expect to renew my subscription next year.

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