Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...Not only is the ensuing train wreck quite riveting, thanks in no small part to Ally, but Akhtar smartly makes space for a moment when you come to see how perfectly ordinary mistakes can simmer in this American stew, where so much already festers. It's in that sad moment that "Disgraced" is at its best."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Clearly, the writer’s obsessive themes are custom-built for this moment. But the play still feels like an outline, and too often its characters function as overly neat mouthpieces that, heard in their inevitablecacophony, suggest just how twisted all forms of fundamentalism AND political correctness can become."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...If the play’s final scene puts its thumb on the scales, at least Kimberly Senior’s breathlessly intelligent production taps enormous wells of honesty. Ally, working through an astonishingly complex web of motivations and emotions, leads a uniformly terrific cast."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...Director Kimberly Senior builds the production with a sure sense of pace and gathering tension through its unbroken sweep of 75 minutes. Set designer Jack Magaw’s stylish apartment reinforces the illusion of permanence. It is a proper house of cards."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Usman Ally’s strong nuanced and highly-charged emotional performance as Amir anchors this wonderful scary work. Disgraced speaks to the unspoken tensions when fear of a group or religion manifests itself in professional and personal relations. We empathize with Amir as he reacts to the actions of those around him. I’ll not say more so not to spoil the plot that will enrage and shock you. Both the writing and the acting blend together to present a story that needs to be seen. Disgraced is a cautionary tale and an indictment of our latent fears of misunderstood cultures. The play forces us to re-examine our views of Muslim Americans. Theatre allows us to come together to explore such exlposive topics. This is an impressive drama, don’t miss it."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"... As its title implies, “Disgraced” is an equal-opportunity accusation in action, a crash course in betrayal that’s fascinating to watch but would be dreadful to experience. Given shock effects that hit too close for comfort, seldom has the fourth wall been more welcome—or more invisible."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...Skillfully directed by Kimberly Senior on a set that I found astonishing for one of our smaller theater companies ( Jack Magaw does terrific work) , lighting (Christine Binder),sound (Kevin O’Donnell) and costumes by Janice Pytel) and props by Nick Heggestad, I found this story to be a little incomplete and had hoped for a better ending, one where the resolution is clearer. While well acted , I would have hoped that we would know if they could get back together, could Amir really change his ways? Does Abe/Hussein give in to the FBI , or get deported and return to Pakistan? While I can recommend the show based on the powerful acting and direction and the overall picture it paints, I felt the need for more- to complete the picture!"
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"... This show is full of personality. The cast provides ongoing thought-provoking viewpoints on religion, race, gender. Stereotypes are explored and weirdly justified. In the lead, Usman Ally (Amir) plays raging paranoid perfectly. He balances heavy doses of humor with anger issues. His flawed character garners empathy for his weaknesses, as well as, his strength. An understated Alana Arenas (Jory) makes hilarious side cracks. Arenas is sooooooo natural. She’s really eating cheese and just hanging out. Her responses seem completely organic in the moment. And then when pushed, she shoves… hard! The entire ensemble provides a sublime look and feel to Akhtar’s multi-dimensional story."
