Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Philip Dawkins’ altogether beguiling new play, “Charm,” now receiving its world premiere in a Northlight Theatre production fittingly staged in the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, could easily be summed up like this: Based on a true story, this is a look at what happens when a decidedly contemporary version of Emily Post arrives to teach an etiquette class at a place very much like the Center on Halsted, that gathering place dedicated to “securing the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland.” But this would not even begin to suggest the play’s magic."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Receiving its world premiere now in a very fine Northlight Theatre production at the Steppenwolf Garage, Philip Dawkins's based-on-fact Charm tells a remarkably similar story—except that Dawkins's Adam is a sixtysomething black transsexual who calls herself Mama Darleena, and his Eve a bunch of tough, sexually various street kids who take the charm class Mama teaches at an LGBT community center in Chicago."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...The company is splendid under Northlight artistic director BJ Jones, who, to his credit, came up with the idea for Charm and nurtured it with Dawkins. The design elements are simplicity itself, but Jones' staging nearly is choreographic in the constant and complex movement of the cast. Tall Dexter Zollicoffer, even taller in red high heels ( Izumi Inaba, costumes ), is commanding and masterful as Mama Darleena, signaling rue or authority with equal effectiveness. I expect this will be a Jeff Award-nominated performance. Each supporting actor creates a well-etched character, often pointed: Armand Fields, Monica Orozco, Julian Parker, Britney Love Smith, Namir Smallwood, Matthew Sherback and Awate Serequeberhan. Several act cross-gender roles, but I won't say who."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Northlight artistic director BJ Jones does fantastic work here, unleashing moments of chaos, crisp wit and subtle heartbreak with equal aplomb. He brings Dawkins's brilliant script to Technicolor life, and delivers a story that not only demands our attention but endlessly rewards it."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...For all its predictable obstacles yielding to feel-good outcomes, systemic emotional breakdowns, and redemptive reconciliations, charming is what you see and get at Steppenwolf’s Garage Theatre. It’s beautiful to watch an abandoned plot flourish into flowers and fruits. No miracle worker, Zollicoffer’s nurturer tactfully tackles the hard times and bad luck that beset her brood. She makes her garden grow."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Charm is wonderful theatre fulled with unique characters, funny moments, and an important story about a misunderstood subgroup. Charm is well crafted and important. All teens need to see this show because its message of self respect, acceptance and dignity are universal. Philip Dawkins is a Chicago treasure."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...“Charm” in its World Premiere, is a two act play written by Philip Dawkins that was inspired by a story that took place right here in the area. In fact, a bit further North of the theater at the Center on Halsted ( in Boy’s Town). Miss Gloria Allen started a class in Etiquette in order to show the homeless and downtrodden teens that to express the proper behavior and a better sense of “self” can assist them through their daily battles of survival in a world that does not relate to their torments or the lives they have been force to exist in. Jones worked with Dawkins for over three years in the development of this script, and has assembled a cast that might be called “near perfection” to bring these characters to life."
