Marvin's Room at Circle Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Amanda Hartley is believable in the difficult role of Bessie, a generous spirit who's diagnosed with leukemia after having spent decades caring for her seriously ill father. But the age-blind (or at least astigmatic) casting of Mary Redmon's Circle Theatre production works against the story, which has flaws of its own. Although death lurks in the wings for the entire play, McPherson never effectively confronts it."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"... The Circle Theatre is reviving Marvin’s Room in its new Studio space. It’s a daunting choice for the company and director Mary C. Redmon. The play requires a delicate touch so the sentiment doesn’t turn into bathos and the black humor stumble into vulgarity. The Circle production isn’t perfect, but it’s a brave and mostly successful attempt that does credit to the ensemble."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"... Directed by Mary C. Redmon on a multi purpose set by Bob Knuth, the story is well told, but the intimacy of the theater should have been taken into account on the set design and direction as there are scenes where because of the boys sleeping on the floor, most of the patrons are unable to see them. The actors, inn some cases, because the theater is small tend to speak in conversational tones instead of projecting to the back row , which is only five rows from the stage, a no-no in theater. Knuth’s lighting filled the stage amply and Kevin Bellie’s sound needs some adjustments- his musical interludes between scenes is strong and powerful , a great addition to the telling of the story. The other cast members in this production are Liliana Mitchell in dual roles who once again needs to play to the back row and Paul Chakrin who does Marvin’s offstage voice in addition to a few others."