I Do Today Reviews
Chicago Reader- Somewhat Recommended
"...Myers offers a smart exploration of the ways religion, family, and culture offer mixed messages about love and longing, connecting the Jewish concept of bashert (a predestined spouse or soul mate) and the story of Elijah (a story of anticipation and longing for a man who may or may not arrive) with ideas from Darwin, Kabbalah, infant attachment theory, and more. These layers are fascinating, though the production itself could be less didactic and more dramatic. Silkatis has the charm to pull off a solo show, no mean feat, but the whole thing felt overstated, somewhere between lecture and stand-up while not quite either."
Windy City Times- Somewhat Recommended
"...Despite the shmoozy conviviality displayed by Caren Silkaitis as she guides us through Myers' genealogical retrospective, the author's egocentric stance, evidenced by stream-of-consciousness narrative and abrupt changes of subject, cannot help but leave us struggling to keep pace with her epistemological contemplations. Further eroding our attention is Matthew Carney's lighting scheme, which too often isolates Silkaitis in tightly illuminated pools surrounded by a stage cloaked in darkness-an arrangement promoting eyestrain leading to visual fatigue and, eventually, drowsiness."
ChicagoCritic- Not Recommended
"...In this case, the script doomed the show. The woman’s internal explorations became too much for audiences to handle. Too bad Carin Silkaitis had such material to work with! I don’t believe there is an actress slive that could make Sarah Myers acript stage worthy."
Around The Town Chicago- Somewhat Recommended
"...The “Solo” series that is taking place right now at The Greenhouse Theater Center is one that is getting mixed reviews. Many of the one person performances have been spectacular, while others have been so-so. In many cases, the acting has been superb and the story itself lacking. Tonight’s WORLD PREMIERE of “I Do Today” is such a production. I found Carin Silkaitis wonderful, as she plays a woman of Jewish heritage determined to dig up her “family tree” and look at the history of her life and that of those who preceded her. The one-act/75 minutes of watching her work and write on a mirrored , huge glass board was interesting in parts but may not appeal to as many viewers as one might think."
Splash Magazine- Recommended
"...This performance is a Jewish woman's humorous ramble through her family tree, which she reconstructs on a canvas stage right and on the surrounding wall. The only oppressed characters here seem to be the icons of Jewish religious identity, the male and female versions of God, and the prophet Elijah- she renders the former as sexualized beings and the last as an imaginary childhood playmate- although, to be sure, it's all in the service of self-expression, not blasphemy.There are a number of very funny quips that are insider Jewish jokes- for example, she designates one of her husbands "Future Ex Husband" and the shortens it to it's abbreviation, "FEH", which is a Yiddish exclamation conveying disapproval, displeasure or disgust. ("The greatest writer in the English language? Feh!")"
NewCity Chicago- Somewhat Recommended
"...What holds the piece together is the writing board at stage right, a mirror in the center surrounded by an inexplicably paisley border, upon which the unnamed woman diagrams a messy family tree in white ink. She starts with a standard nucleus of father, mother, sister, before proceeding to include less orthodox variables including "F's 2nd W" (Father's Second Wife), "FEH" (Future Ex-Husband) and Elijah (a noted Biblical figure as well as her imaginary friend)."