Fail/Safe Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Somewhat Recommended
"...Less successful is the way it's been brought to life in Strawdog's side space (known as Hugen Hall), which is basically just a long room. Years ago I saw a production here of "Disco Pigs" that transformed the space into something workable. So it is doable. But Lawfer (who also directs) seems to struggle with its limitations. Half the time you're left staring at an actor's back as a scene unfolds. No one onstage moves around that much so the production tends to feel like a diorama that wants to grow up and become a living, breathing theater production."
Time Out Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...Lawfer, who also serves as artistic director for Strawdog Theatre's Hugen Hall programming, boils the action down to 70 minutes and three spaces that coexist onstage at all times in Mike Mroch's economic but sophisticated set design: a Pentagon conference room, an Omaha intelligence bunker, and a secure White House communications room. While giving a congressman (Joe Mack) a tour of the underground air activity monitoring and defense command center, military personnel observe an unidentified flying object in U.S. territory. Over-complicated equipment, Soviet interference and automatic procedures ignite a chain of events that inadvertently sends an American squad armed with 4 20-megaton bombs toward Moscow with instructions to level the city. Once it's clear the U.F.O is innocuous, all parties responsible race against time to prevent global catastrophe and recall the rogue bombers."
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
"...The staging and the casting are key to the success of “Fail/Safe.” Utilizing Strawdog’s small venue beautifully, scenic designer Mike Mroch divides the rectangular space into thirds, with each area focusing on a different operation in the U.S.’ nuclear apparatus – the nerve center of its computers; a conference room in the Pentagon; and finally, a bunker where the president retreats. And in each room, a sterling class of actors deliver the taut dialogue of Nikki Klix and Anderson Lawfer’s adaptation, with Mark Pracht, Carmine Grisolia, and especially Tom Hickey (who plays the president) delivering focused, intense performances."
The Fourth Walsh- Recommended
"...Each of the ten cast members have moments of riveting discourse but then they seem awkwardly visible. Very early in the play, Joe Mack (Congressman Raskob) engages with a riveting declaration. I'm connected to his part in this event but then he doesn't really speak again. He just stands there. The tension of the situation seems to dissipate because there is NOT a constant frenzy of activity within these three rooms. The ensemble just sits there. Although as an audience member I want to see them frantic; pacing, chain-smoking, throwing things, as a U.S. citizen I do find some comfort in the even keel functionality of leadership in dire situations. FAIL/SAFE is a timeless, disturbing eye opener."
Splash Magazine- Highly Recommended
"...Strawdog's "Fail/Safe" will grab you-whatever your age or background-- and pull you to the edge of your seat as bombs explode and the best minds are put to the challenge of preventing the end of the world."