Exit, Pursued By A Bear Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...This is hardly a groundbreaking drama, but "Exit" is an imaginative, quick-witted and modestly amusing piece of nouveau Southern gothic writing — dramaturgically trendy and self-aware enough to interest regional theaters but still quite poignant and authentic in its depiction of a young woman's finally choosing to empower herself rather than please her abusive mate. Alas, director Cassy Sanders' well-meaning but uneven production falls into a number of common traps."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...There are moments of goofy charm in Cassy Sanders's staging for Theatre Seven of Chicago, but the metatheatrical winks and nods grow tiresome, particularly as the titular stage direction from Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale gets stretched and pulled on the metaphorical rack. The plot itself is far too predetermined to contain any surprises."

Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Imagine the Dixie Chicks’ hit song “Goodbye Earl” come to life in a play that busts down the fourth wall to talk to the audience face-to-face in a Southern drawl. That’s what we get in “Exit, Pursued by a Bear,” the uneven but often hilarious and poignant production from Theatre Seven of Chicago."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...Since we never understand why Nan just doesn’t simply leave nor do we see how actually abusive Kyle is toward her – the structure is thin making the play need gimmicks and silliness to harvest enough humor to sustain 75 minutes. The players and the situation were so broad that the itplayed like an adult cartoon devoid of humor. Theatre Seven of Chicago usually mounts terrific plays so they can be excused for this one."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Elizabeth Hope Williams has contagious fun as airhead Sweetheart, a bimbo who loves the chance to turn Kyle’s reeducation into an imaginary audition. Ryan Lanning is nelly-nice as gay crusader Simon, a role that advances the “gay agenda” about three inches back. But, no question, these are friends in need indeed. As for what happens to nasty Kyle, there are two endings. You can pick your favorite. Then comes a karaoke ending to finish off all hard feelings—except the gnawing doubt over whether “Exit” trivialized a tiny tragedy."

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended

"...Playwright Lauren Gunderson takes a hilarious approach to making a serious point. She creates zany caricatures and gives them dialogue that cackles with absurdity. Breaking the fourth wall, the characters plead their case to the audience. Even though the parody is laughable, the serious nature of domestic violence is never the focus of a joke. In an unforgettable moment of clarity, Ryan Lanning (Simon) provokes Tracey Kaplan (Nan) to reveal more abuse incidents. Kaplan responds, “Is there a quota?” The statement is simplistically profound. Gunderson doesn’t escalate the plot into a lampoon Lifetime movie. She keeps the ultimate point understated and powerful."