Four presented by Jackalope Theatre at Broadway Armory

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...The tentative connection afforded by physical contact doesn't come close to filling whatever deeper need these characters have, and I wish that felt more meaningful than it does here in this Jackalope Theatre production, directed by Nate Silver. Something about the rhythm here is just off, although I'm not sure a more fluid approach would give this show the potency it needs."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"... Joe is a university professor from Hartford, Connecticut, taking advantage of a trip to Boston to hook up with June, a 16-year-old gay virgin he met online. Back home in Hartford, Joe's teenage daughter, Abigayle, slips away from her bedridden mom to hook up with her wannabe boyfriend, a basketball-playing wigger named Dexter. Sex is had, after a fashion, but the couples spend most of their time engaged in pained conversation, backing ever so reluctantly into what they mean to say. There may be a delicate Chekhovian comedy in there somewhere. But by confusing quiet desperation with solemn stasis, this Jackalope Theatre production never finds it."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Yet these hints of messiness come across as purely human in this cast's satisfying portrayals. Newcomer Kurowski, a Columbia College junior, is particularly impressive in his nuanced portrait of a nervous kid doing his best to project confidence. But as the title suggests, all four of these actors offer winning work."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...No thesis gets proven, no theme illustrated. Basic as its title (that emphasizes the individuals and not the couples), Four just stands for itself, a slice of art delicately delivered in Jackalope’s less-is-more local premiere. Howard’s paternal mentor, Kurowski’s big-eyed listener, Collins’ spunky schoolgirl, and Martinez’ frustrated Lothario–they encapsulate the U.S. on the day we were born."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...It’s hard to imagine another company giving Shinn’s play this kind of inspired treatment. From the unparalleled excellence of the cast (led by director Nate Silver) and technical brilliance of the scenic design (courtesy Mike Mroch), to the evocative lighting (Cat Wilson) and advanced use of sound (Andrew Rovner), Four is a consummate work of art from a theatre on the make. I would be remiss if I didn’t offer a disclaimer to anyone intent on attending for the first time: be careful. Once you’ve seen a Jackalope production you may never want to see anything else."

The Fourth Walsh - Recommended

"...FOUR is the dark side of dating. It's not the petal-plucking-does-he-love-me-does-she-love-me-not giddy kind. It's the put-down-the-Ben-and-Jerry-take-a-risk kind. FOUR is not for the Hallmark addicted. It's for people looking for love in all the wrong places."

NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...The show is staged in a three-quarter thrust within four panels of rich, summer sunset beautifully designed by set designer Mike Mroch. The intimacy of the setting helps when several scenes are set in cars, with the actors seated close together. Scene changes are occasionally overlong and clunky, but are covered by the smooth, moody score from Andrew Rovner. For the rest of the show, a little less smoothness would have been better."