Born Ready at Factory Theater

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Like most of the cast, Eleanor Katz as Kroft and Clara Byczkowski as Harriet cleverly lampoon midcentury cinematic acting tropes without compromising the script's sincere emotions. While director Wm. Bullion occasionally struggles to find adequately snappy pacing, his two-hour production is graceful and endearing."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...Jon Steinhagen's songs, Andria Emerick Brown's dances and Kate Setzer Kamphausen's quasi-Dior gowns re-create period ambience with museum accuracy, as do the onscreen acting styles of Eleanor Katz and Clara Byczkowski in the roles of the doomed heroines. Even if Mad Men-era estrogen and intrigue are not your cup of colortinis, you can always enjoy Factory's nostalgic portrayal of video entertainment's early years."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...These sillier moments, of course, are what really make the play feel like a Factory Theater show: a signal to the audience that the play doesn't take itself too seriously. And it doesn't. On the contrary; it takes itself just the right amount of seriously. That's why these moments of "house style" feel so intrusive and jarring. The story, to be perfectly frank, is too mature for them."

Picture This Post - Highly Recommended

"...BORN READY has everything a good sitcom needs - singing, dancing, manipulation, romance, and of course, a laugh track. It throws some light hearted punches at the way things were back then and brings us into the world of Marion Kroft. You'll feel the emotional ups and downs alongside her and will be engaged with the story of what happens backstage at the studio."

NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Though the show has some great comedic moments, like chorus girls dressed in cereal boxes singing about their favorite breakfast treats, any casual follower of soap operas can see the how the story of Marion and Harriet will unfold within the first five minutes of the show up through the second act. Luckily, subplots and supporting roles, especially the commercial breaks with the Announcer (Eric Roach), keep the show moving along until the characters catch up to the predictable plot and Marion becomes a little less "Days of Our Lives" and a little more "Murder She Wrote." The show as a whole might be stronger if the last half of the play was more developed than the first."