Lives of the Pigeons at The Side Project

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...The pacing, particularly between scenes, felt a bit awkward on opening night, and the play feels as if it ends in the middle of taking a breath right before moving toward a larger revelation about the nature of Gus and Max's shared past. But despite some definite hiccups, the spare but thoughtful performances in Webster's production do justice to Santos' elliptical but intriguing tale."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...Ellipses are more acceptable in poetry than in plays, rendering Santos' 70-minute scenario enigmatic beyond the limits of its genre. What makes us care about Max and Gus, nevertheless, is the dynamic generated by Don Bender and Vincent L. Lonergan, two of the storefront circuit's most popular attractive older men. Their foozly camaraderie charms us immediately before menace intrudes in the form of Matthew Lloyd's mysterious Man With Cane. Under Adam Webster's unhurried direction, the chemistry of these three actors are enough to send us home musing on the precarious fates of humble citizens and birds."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...The world beyond the walls of the theater felt real. As Don Bender gestured emphatically offstage, his predicament and the world that caused it pressed in through the walls of The Side Project's tiny space and directly into the forefront of the scene. The script makes very little effort to speak explicitly this world, but its presence is palpable. And that, I think, is a triumph. By the time the quote above spilled forth onto the stage I was hanging on every word, struggling right alongside the characters to make sense their situation. I was engaged; a feeling all too rare in the theater these days. It's a production wholly worth checking out, for its three solid performances and its interesting text. Santos has got a way with words; kudos to The Side Project for bringing his play to Chicago."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Lives of the Pigeons is renowned poet Santos's first play to be produced in Chicago, and the side project gives it a solid world premiere. While heightened, Santos's poetic dialogue feels immediate and truthful. It also gives a lot for the actors to play with. There's excellent chemistry between Lonergan and Bender, but Lloyd's Man With Cane, with his intricate physicality and gleeful command of the language, fuels the play with a palpable menace. Frequent scene changes give Adam Webster's production some choppiness, but the story is well-paced and, at 70 minutes, the play feels deliberate and focused, an amplified examination of power and absolution."

Chicago Theatre Addict - Somewhat Recommended

"...Look: I respect that Santos has written this dense puzzle of a play. Yet, if there’s a compelling message or idea in here, I just couldn’t latch on. Nor did I really care — despite some excellent acting and unfettered direction by Adam Webster, not once was I engaged in this tale, which mostly seemed like an hour of pointless arguing. I simply felt confused, annoyed and, like those poor pigeons, eager for a crumb."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...The acting is terrific as three veteran players nail their roles deftly. Vincent Lonergan is particularly moving as Gus while Don Bender is his usual fine character player. Matthew Lloyd is expertly menacing as the Mani with the Cane."