1980 (Or Why I'm Voting for John Anderson) presented by Jackalope Theatre at Broadway Armory

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...All of the performances are strong and generous in director Kaiser Ahmed's carefully toned production, a zippy show that embraces farce but also personal truth. But the piece belongs to the superb Horvath, who is both very funny as she droops around the office and, as all hope vanishes, exceptionally poignant."

Chicago Sun Times - Recommended

"...Director Kaiser Ahmed has cast “1980” ideally, although too often he seems to have pushed his actors into overdrive. A little more subtlety might have worked better. Nevertheless, Gaynor puts a fine comic spin on her character’s impulsive behavior. Horvath is impossible to take your eyes off as she morphs from caterpillar to butterfly."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...In 1980 John Anderson was a U.S. congressman from north central Illinois, mounting a pro-feminist, anti-trickle-down independent campaign for the presidency against Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. His story should carry loads of resonance after Sanders/Clinton/Trump. But playwright Patricia Cotter ignores all the pesky issues and echoes it raises."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...The play ends on election night, which is to say that it ends on a downer. After all that noise about voting third party, America went right back to its old habits. All the staffers' hard work has really been for nought. It's morning again in America, and the hangover looks like it's a gonna be a real humdinger. Some of the characters respond with resignation, others by jumping ship entirely. But Cotter also delivers a bit of well-earned hope. Sure, the big stuff didn't work out this time, but if one person can change for the better, then maybe a nation can too?"

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...1980 (Or Why I’m Voting for John Anderson) concerns the politics, office and otherwise, of the foot soldiers in a downtown Boston campaign HQ for the titular candidate’s presidential bid. The world premiere by Patricia Cotter and directed by Kaiser Ahmed, is being staged by Jackalope Theatre Company."

The Hawk Chicago - Recommended

"...Jackalope's world premiere is certainly good, but one may expect more from a comedy set in a political climate during the most divisive time in modern history. Thanks to Kaiser Ahmed's brisk direction and a talented ensemble, 1980 (Or Why I'm Voting For John Anderson)​ is a harmless escape from the cold."

NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Despite the many shout outs to the early eighties (casual references to cocaine, the crunching of typewriter keys and characters unafraid to call each other “lezbos”), the play never commits fully to the past era. This is due in large part to the characters, with their need for personal growth, appearing more millennial than post-disco refugees. That they would appear less than surprised by Reagan’s victory is understandable. But their muted disappointment in this eventuality is less understood. It is as if they know that the future holds even more bitter political disappointment."