What the Press Has to Say About "dark play"

The verdict is in! Chicago loves "dark play." The show has opened to enthusiastic responses from critics and audiences alike. Links to all available press reviews are below:

Chicago Sun-Times - "...as disturbing as it is powerful..."

Chicago Theater Beat - "...a simultaneously repellent and ultra-compelling saga.”

Around the Town Chicago - "...the acting is strong as is the direction..."

Chicago Now - "Amazes and dazes!"

Chicago Critic - "...a worthy journey into the potential power of the Internet..."

Centerstage - "Collaboraction's production is...top-notch."

Newcity Stage - "...a deeply felt Chicago premiere."

Chicago Reader - "...compelling...a thrill.”

TimeOut Chicago - "surprisingly packed and active...a digital dreamscape."

WBEZ Dueling Critics Audio Review - "...this is why Chicago theater is the best in the country."

And here's a handful of audience member reactions to the production:

"This is an incredibly well produced and intense play. With simple and clean scene changes, with minimal fuss, the world of a lonely teen is presented graphically. There is drama, humor and intensity in every scene, and the young cast brings it off beautifully. It's one of those rare pieces that takes you on a journey with surprises around every corner. Do yourself a favor and see this play in this tight production in an intimate setting. You'll love it." ~"John" on goldstar.com (5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderfully exciting 90 minutes of theatre. Highly recommend." ~"Goldstar Member" on goldstar.com (4 out of 5 stars)

"A pretty intense experience...really well acted, staged, and directed. The venue is also a terrific place to see a play." ~"Goldstar Member" on goldstar.com (4 out of 5 stars)

"Dark Play is not an easy ride, although it is a worthwhile one...See this jarring and disturbing wonder." ~"Goldstar Member" on goldstar.com (5 out of 5 stars)

 

Comments

[Robert John Biedermann]

Saw this Dark Play last night and thought it was wonderful. The staging was excellent with the main set piece being the bed which was set between the two halves of the audience. The young male leads (Clancy McCartney (his poor final consonant diction left some words difficult to understand) and Aaron KIrby) were always focused and always in the moment of the action. Loved how Sorin Brouwers and Jane deLaurbenfels played so many characters both male and female seamlessly. I especially liked when Sorin Brouwers played female characters without exaggeration, just a hint of the female persona to let us know that he was otherwise androgynous when not in one character or the other.
The pace of the show was excellent, never leaving you sitting back in your chair, always staying with the story. The minimalist set, costumes and props allowed the characters to shine through. Olivia Dustman was beautiful in both of her roles though sometimes the physical distinction was not always clear. What I did love was that all the characters that were created for Nick’s benefit, though all in his mind or on a computer screen, were ever so real and fully developed.
As for the ending of the play, not sure if the choice of the playwright was my cup of tea…without giving it away I do feel a more dark ending might have suited the play better.
Overall it was a great experience. I had seen Blue Man Group in the afternoon and I found that that to be a “One Trick Pony” were as this performance never left me wandering when I could use the bathroom.
I hope the extension continues and I wish this company well. A fine performance.