Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"..."Native Gardens" is a comedy planted in difficult, painful issues. But Zacarias is a populist and compassionate writer, and she finds a lot of political strength in those qualities."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...The result, though occasionally funny, is a genuine display of ugliness on both sides, and everyone involved spends the play alternating between exuberance and contrition over how far off the deep end they're prepared to go for these two feet of dirt."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...Since Zacarias' goal is to highlight the absurdity of allegedly mature adults behaving like stubborn children, the physical damage remains confined to the foliage under scrutiny and an epilogue illustrates how peace is eventually restored. Director Marti Lyons and the quartet of Patrick Clear, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Gabriel Ruiz and Paloma Nozicka maintain a comedic tone, assisted by William Boles' hyperealistic scenic design and Mikhail Fiksel's sly incidental music ( Cat Stevens' "Wild World" as performed by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, anyone? ), to render the Butleys' parochialism and the Del Valles' xenophobia no more threatening than any human foible, when fortuitously nipped in the bud."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Zacarías's plotting doesn't surprise much, but where her comedy really blooms is in the dialogue and the details-both cultivated with consideration by director Marti Lyons and a blue-ribbon cast, who sow a healthy sense of the precariousness of politeness, particularly when race, class and age are in the mix."
Stage and Cinema - Somewhat Recommended
"...Native Garden isn’t so much about truth as PC button-pushing. But despite its utter lack of surprises, a few moments transcend farce: Of course, turnabout is not fair play when the del Valles seem as arrogantly authoritarian as the patronizing, stuffed-shirt Butleys. There’s an interesting debate about whether the jingoistic term “Americans” applies to anyone outside the United States. A few one-liners land well. But too often Zacharias’ one-act is played for easy laughs. Four ultra-competent Chicago artists seize on rather than back away from the script’s crude caricatures and pandering polarities."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...But Native Gardens is well acted by Brooks and Clear in a thankless roles. But, next to the terrific set, Paloma Nozicka as the pregrant Tanis steals her scenes. Unfortunately, the over zelous opening night audience pacted with friends of the cast and crew often laughted before the punch lines were rendered making it difficult to hear. Yet, despite that and the silliness near the play's end, Native Gardens is a hiliarious comedy of culture that satisfies their target audience. It is worth a look."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...This is one that will be all over the board when it comes to reviewers and their feelings. The play is called "Native Gardens" and was written by Karen Zacarias (a playwright who has been known to be somewhat controversial in her works).Fact is, it is having premiere's all over the country, with Chicago, and Victory Gardens as the spot, being one of them. The title of the play is only a small part of what it is about. The "rest of the story", as Paul Harvey always said, is about the world we live in and the stereo-types that have become somewhat the "norm" in our society."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Zacarias is building an impressive resume in Chicagoland theater, most notably with the recent Goodman staging of her “Destiny of Desire.” But “Native Gardens” could be a script that gets her national attention. Regional theaters should love the small cast, single set, and the widespread appeal of relevant social issues wrapped in easily accessible comedy. It’s easily one of the most wining theater experiences of the season."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...Witty and fun, Native Gardens is a must-see event. It takes a great play to invite the audience into a standing ovation before it even officially reaches its end, and this four-person ensemble did just that."
NewCity Chicago - Recommended
"...Karen Zacarías' "Native Gardens" is an examination of not only what it means to be a good neighbor but what it means to be a good American. Directed by Marti Lyons, this timely story reflects modern relationships in the United States, challenging ideas of entitlement, privilege and a whole slew of "isms" in a way that is simultaneously serious and comedic."
