The Chicago Reader said the original production "revels in its own mind-numbing stupidity" and, comparing it to the flop Broadway musical version of Carrie, said "a just plain terrible show and a self-consciously terrible show really aren't all that different" [REF].
Reviewing the 2005 revival, the Chicago Tribune said it needed half an hour cut but praised Joey Steakley, cross-dressing in the title role [REF].