Theo Ubique: Tell Me On A Sunday Review
Dani Pike
Theo Ubique Presents TELL ME ON A SUNDAY Review - A Timeless Tale of Dating
TLDR: Theo puts on a smaller scale Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that takes us on one woman’s dating journey spanning New York to LA and back to NY again. It’s a one woman show with 80s vibes and Dani Pike takes us on an emotional journey through her romantic ups and downs.
Dani Pike
No Matter What The Decade, Men Are Trash
I know, I know #notallmen. But for the purposes of this review, yes all men. Dani Pike as leading lady, Emma, takes to the stage answering the door to an invisible friend delivering unfortunate news that her boyfriend is lying to her and most likely cheating on her. But, like all women on the hunt for love she keeps her spirits up and moves on to the next one. She takes us through a few more of her relationships - a producer who whirls her away to LA, a love at first sight bar meeting, and an escapade with a married man. Each time evokes a sense of hope that maybe this time will be different. We get the inner workings of her mind as she writes home to her mum in England trying to keep her chin up and put a positive spin on everything.
Though there’s shoulder pads for days and thick black eyeliner putting us firmly in the 80s, that one theme still rings true. Even though we’re 40+ years away from the decade of acid washed jeans, the dating game is still the same with people being unfaithful, acting selfishly, and fine with hurting people for themselves. Luckily our focus isn’t so much on how terrible the dating scene is but rather one woman’s inner feelings as she navigates through them all.
Theo Ubique Paints A Portrait of a Girl
With no other actors on stage, our full focus is on Pike the whole time. The sung through style of the musical is all her singing for the full 75 minutes. Because of that particular style, we feel as though we see the full narrative journey for Emma through her.
The stage also gives us 80s vibes bathed in shades of pink, ice block glass accents, and antique finished mirrors. Though it’s a minimal set, Pike creates the settings with her movements. She rolls around on the bed and floor luxuriously in a silk robe after she sends her Hollywood producer off to work in the morning.
She spits fiery words at the invisible person she thought was her friend in “Take That Look Off Your Face,” baffled this person would take delight in her pain.
When the man who she thought was the Clyde to her Bonnie needs to end things once again, she gives us the emotional ballad “Tell Me On A Sunday,” begging him to let her down in a place where she can pick herself back up afterwards.
She’s vulnerable. She’s hopeful. She’s self-reflective when she realizes she’s becoming someone not true to herself. We see her hopes rise with each potential romantic partner, but that hope doesn’t peak as high each time until we feel she can’t bounce back with optimism anymore. Pike hits the emotional and vocal high notes and is a powerhouse for her vocal and acting skills alongside her stamina as well.
Dani Pike
The After Party Thoughts
After reading the director’s note in the program, luckily we were in the same boat where at the get go, we both weren’t too familiar with Tell Me On A Sunday. When she mentioned many past reviews critiqued this show as just another woman trying to find her worth through a man, I was thrilled that that was not the message I took away from this musical at all. It didn’t feel like a woman only looking for love and being lost every time she gets into a relationship with a new man. It felt like Emma knew what she wanted and went after it, albeit with maybe too much trust each time. It feels like a story many people who have been through the dating cycle themselves many times before and are finding themselves might relate to.
If you’re not interested in one woman shows or musicals about finding yourself this might not be the show for you. But if you’re in the mood for a short bite of a musical going through the highs and lows of dating while still being true to yourself led by a phenomenally talented actress, Tell Me On A Sunday would be a good fit for you.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Dani Pike
When
Now through April 20, 2025
Where
Theo Ubique
721 Howard Street
Evanston, IL 60202
Runtime: 75 minutes, no intermission
Tickets
$30+
tickets can be purchased by phone at 773-939-4101 or online through the Theo Ubique website
Photos
Time Stops Photography
Find Allie and The After Party on Theatre in Chicago
Dani Pike
CAST
Dani Pike (Emma)
Luiza Vitucci (Standby)
CREATIVE
Director - Keely Vasquez
Music Director - Evelyn Ryan
Choreographer/Associate Director - Jenna Schoppe
Scenic Designer - Eleanor Kahn
Lighting Designer - Ellie Fey
Costume Designer - Marquecia Jordan
Properties Designer - Ab Rieve
Sound Designer - Matthew R. Chase
Director of Production - Erik Tylkowski
Stage Manager - Nihan Baysal
Audio Engineer - Aria Broxterman
Technical Director - Nick Peebles
Production Electrician - Jackson Mikkelsen
Assistant Stage Manager - Janine Casey