All American at Redtwist Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Brownell's interests extend beyond this girl's unusual experience, however, steering the focus to her nonjock twin brother's emo rebellion, dad's rocky adjustment to post-NFL life and mom's newfound career - multistrand storytelling that was the backbone of something like "Friday Night Lights" but less conducive to a 90-minute play. Despite a strong group of actors (Andrew J. Pond, seriously miscast as a former football pro, gets by on likability alone), everyone seems a bit lost by the time they reach the play's climax, an emotional showdown that eliminates Gangel's QB altogether and washes away all the specificity of her experience that came before it."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Julia Brownell's script never explores her life as a girl football star; she's less a character than a plot device to set off the family drama. Far more interesting are her parents-mother Beth has triumphantly embarked on a career as a realtor after years as a football spouse and, effectively, a single mother-and her snarky football-hating twin, Aaron, who, as played by Matt Edmonds, brightens every scene he's in."

Northwest Indiana Times - Recommended

"...Told as a brisk 90-minute, no intermission tale, it stars Andrew J. Pond as Mike, a football obsessed former NFL star who hails from a tiny town in Indiana and is desperate to re-capture former glory. Along with his wife Beth, played wonderfully here by Kimberly Logan, the couple's high school age twins happen to be brother and sister opposites in many ways."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...All-American is a witty, often funny, family drama about how one person's inability to let go of his past glory turns into a delusional goal for his daughter. Mike's denial that his football career is over threatens the stability of the family. When Beth sees hints that Katie wants to be a 17 year old girl more than a football pioneer, she ignores that in the interest of keeping Mike's dream alive. Only Aaron knows what Katie really wants. As the story unfolds, we see how Aaron reacts and comments on all the family dynamics with complete and ofter perceptive candor. During the fast-paced direction by Scott Weinstein, we witness the awakening of each family member as ultimately the underlying love carries the family through their struggles."