Ideation Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Highly Recommended
"...Menary's production features a uniformly compelling cast with standout work from the terrific Rachel Sullivan (a TV actress making a welcome return to the stage), Kaiser Zaki Ahmed, Henry Greenberg, Michael Kingston and, especially, Japhet Balaban."
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
"...The rest of Aaron Loeb's erudite dark comedy presents the spectacle of smart people going nuts, weighing a possible genocide against keeping their jobs. Gus Menary's Jackalope Theatre staging is hilarious and disquieting, its darkest joke being the first one: that these savants are gung ho as long as they think the job is just killing sick people."
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
"...It’s a shame that same control hasn’t been brought to bear on the plays blocking, which trapped in a hard little conference room, reminds one of rats in a cage. The actors too, at least at the start of the play, either under-project or over-shout, making it difficult to keep up with the story (with the exception of Ahmed, whose voice remains clear as a bell and gives us both equable charm and a mounting sense of anxiety). But by the end all these failures have been swept behind for a chilling summation of all fears, where the play and production nail it’s comedic and sinister designs."
The Fourth Walsh- Highly Recommended
"...This is my favorite Jackalope show ever. The writing, directing and acting is the perfect storm. IDEATION is tight! In these political times of conspiracy, collusion and uncertainty, the sublime ensemble speculates us down ALL the rabbit holes. At several points, the chilling realizations made me equally queasy and f#cking terrified. WTF? Is this my worst nightmare or a present reality? Well done, Jackalope! I may not sleep sound for weeks."
Picture This Post- Highly Recommended
"...The brilliance of IDEATION is its ability to make its audience members do exactly the same thing its characters are trying to do. As you walk out of the theater, expect to keep trying to piece things together-what's real and what's conspiracy?"
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended
"..."Ideation" is a play that begs to be seen for its shrewd perspective and impressive grasp of power structures if not for its implications about the degrees to which the average consumer is blissfully unaware of the machinations of the average multimillion dollar corporation. At the very least it will give you something to talk about at the water cooler the next day."