Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...There is great potential. But the show doesn’t fully work. One of the problems is that Moseley’s production hasn’t found a visual metaphor that serves the play. There’s a clunky set that feels much too heavy for the material, and that constantly slows down the action. In fact, everything moves too slowly here, including both the actors and the storytelling, which is creative but halting, and lacking in drive."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...The play has some nicely limned scenes, but too much of it unspools awkwardly and feels overly contrived. And while Anthony Mosely has gathered a fine cast, his direction often only emphasizes the play's lumpiness."
Daily Herald - Not Recommended
"...The main problem with Janoff's play, the first from the Chicago native and former magazine writer whose credits included TV's "America's Most Wanted," is the lack of identity. "Heroes" doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. It falls somewhere between a romantic comedy and a fairy tale, but fails to satisfy on either level because it never fully embraces either genre. It's neither genuine or funny enough for the former and it's not imaginative enough for the latter."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...It's a testament to Janoff's gift for characterization that he draws poignancy from this untenable premise, creating a portrait of a dying backwater town coming to terms with its myths. Collaboraction director Anthony Moseley elicits endearing performances from his seven-person cast, making for a warm, if not credible, evening."
Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...The play's strongest moments are the Rhett-Wendy scenes, which are extraordinarily unfancy but written carefully, quietly and playfully, thereby allowing the audience to take pleasure in the attraction so obviously unfolding. Defaria and Weber amplify the understated words with wonderful body language, as if drawn to each other magnetically. Director Anthony Moseley has guided them well; they are the heart of Heroes and Villains."
EpochTimes - Recommended
"...Janoff's script is a bit slow in Act I but does a great turnaround in the second act. In fact, I would like to see him rewrite this as a 90 minute production without an intermission and tighten up the introduction that is now the first act. There is a mystery in this play and intermissions can cause audiences to forget there they left off. Director Anthony Moseley has put together a strong cast of players and Tracy Ortwell's set is very practical..."
Centerstage - Recommended
"...Janoff's play doesn't cover any particularly new ground, and the stakes feel too low to make for gripping drama. However, the characters are interesting enough that it is always worthwhile to spend time with them, and the play's look at small-town life is a genuinely fascinating one."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...the clunky pacing of Moseley’s uninspired production, which makes no particular use of several thin supporting characters nobody told the playwright to cut, makes us curious about why we should be curious."
ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended
"...As presented, “Heroes and Villains’ needs to be tightened, trimmed and rethought. Mysteries work better with quick paced, focused scenes that build up the dramatic tension. Once that happens, Janoff’s play could emerge as worthy."
