Ghosts and Zombies presented by Akvavit Theatre at Strawdog Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Under Breahan Pautsch's equivocal direction, the production vacillates between earnestness and lampoonery without adequately investing in either, resulting in an evening that chases its tail for nearly three hours. As usual, Akvavit's cast and design team are top-notch."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...The set, designed by Bergman, is functional; director Breahan Pautsch uses its many back windows to stage some fantastic zombie pass-bys, literally upstaging the main action to great comedic effect. However, the moody lighting by David Goodman-Edberg and the pitch-perfect Hammer Films sound design by Nigel Harsch do a lot to elevate the material to a higher, spookier plane. While Ghosts & Zombies might leave non-Ibsen fans just a bit in the lurch, anyone with at least passing familiarity who’s in the mood for some seasonal fun would do well to check it out."

Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended

"...Most of the humor is a result of Breahan Pautsch’s fine direction, balancing between her realistically modern interpretation and the play’s demand for melodrama. Chad Eric Bergman’s solarium scenic design, Rachel Sypniewski’s period perfect costumes, David Goodman-Edberg’s eerie lighting, Nigel Harsch’s wonderful original musical score and sound design and, especially, Leticha Guillaud’s imaginative props make this production reek with Halloween horror. Special kudos go to Bethany Weise’s hair and makeup and a superb violence design, courtesy of R&D Choreography. Everything else is simply a collection of ghosts, courtesy of Henrik Ibsen. As October 31st draws near, theatergoers searching for a quirky, scary production with a contemporary bent will find this zombie-infested comedy to be their best choice."

Picture This Post - Recommended

"...In this writer´s opinion, the initial dialogues are somewhat extensive, unnecessarily lengthening the play. But it must also be said that it soon evolves to faster paced scenes, surprising twists and engaging plot, making you want to know more and discover the final outcome of the situation."

Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended

"...There are a number of books and films that use zombie parodies (think "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"), but this play's textual base is particularly sound and the production is filled with spooky stormy sounds and music, truly wonderful makeup and costume design, super violence choreography and great acting."

NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...One hundred twenty-five years after Henrik Ibsen’s “Ghosts” premiered in Chicago to audiences not yet ready for a frank fable of sexually transmitted disease and sexual politics, Akvavit Theatre reincarnates the play in a new rendition translated by Chad Eric Bergman and augmented, à la “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” by Gustav Tegby. Directed by Breahan Pautsch, “GHOSTS & zombies” combines a tragic domestic narrative with campy October mayhem. The result is a perplexing treatment that condemns patriarchal morals without offering other respite from the anarchy of the undead running amok over a storm-ridden country estate."