Hitler On The Roof presented by Akvavit Theatre at Strawdog Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Directors Kirstin Franklin and Amber Robinson struggle to keep their cast in the same play; Amy Gorelow's frenetic Goebbels is a one-dimensional cartoon, while Jay Torrence's smoldering Riefenstahl is a multilayered clown."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...Co-directed with humor and unabashed spunk and spirit by Kristin Franklin and Amber Robinson, with expert dialect guidance by Sammi Grant, this show is never subtle. It's a continually bombastic and unrelenting tirade that always hits home. Primarily presentational, the audience becomes an integral part of this nightmare-like Neverland, as they're pushed to repeat slogans from Third Reich propaganda, encouraged to sing and clap along with Goebbels' show tune presentations and made to endure lectures about what made the Nazi Seizure of Power great. It's all done tongue in cheek, of course; but you know what say about history repeating itself?"

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...Co-directors Franklin and Robinson turn chaos into tragedy in the last half of the play. Chad Eric Bergman's scene design is dusty, trashy and filled with relics of the Reich. Piper Hubbell Robinson's costumes are suitably raggy, torn and slutty (in Riefenstahl's case). Bernadette Hagen's projection design and Nigel Harsch's sound are essential elements in the production."

Picture This Post - Recommended

"...Indeed, this production may go a long way for many of us in reminding that Angela Merkel's expression when the Donald refused to shake her hand was not unlike the one you remember of a child being handed a bouquet of wilting flowers by Bozo. It's a tall order though for this playwright, House of Cards script writers or any artist to top the surrealism of the nightly news broadcast. That said, this is an imaginative and fun performance chock full of serendipity-fueled laughs-a winning recipe made to order for trying times."

Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended

"...As tempting as it is to call Hitler on the Roof timely, it is hard to imagine a time when this material would not be topical. This is by no means the first (and likely not the last) that our own nation is afflicted by the unflinching resentment toward the minority. If only the villains would consent to wear clown makeup."

NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...The intimate setting of the new Strawdog Theatre allows the audience to examine every detail, light twitch and sweat droplet on stage, yet the entire production crew and cast make it all look effortless. The combination of playwright Rhea Leman's powerful monologues and dialogues, the intense c0-direction Kirstin Franklin and Amber Robinson and overwhelming set design by Chad Eric Bergman come together with knockout performances by Gorelow and Riefenstahl."