Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Certainly one can argue that preaching ecumenical harmony and prizing compassion over rigid adherence to doctrine is an evergreen problem for religious leaders - just consider Pope Francis' recent pronouncements. The philosophical context of Lerner's show is fascinating. But the human Paulus gets lost in the thickets of discourse."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Artfully directed by Jimmy McDermott (on a fine set by Dan Stratton), the cast is strongly led by Daniel Cantor as the brutally abused Paulus, with Anthony DiNicola as his sweet, Sancho Panza-like attendant; Torrey Hanson as an aged "ghost" of Jesus; and Bill McGough, Dana Black, Carolyn Hoerdemann, Glenn Stanton and D'Wayne Taylor in supportiang roles."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...This is a polemical play, such as we're not used to in Chicago. Or in the United States, for that matter. As he closes in on martyrdom, the hardheaded apostle Paul has a series of debates with various allies and enemies, including his former wife, his faithful but complaining servant, a Christian disciple, a conniving Pharisee, the Roman procurator, and the spirits of Emperor Nero and Jesus. The upshot of all that talk? A picture of Paul as a spiritual visionary who outgrew what Israeli playwright Motti Lerner depicts as Jesus's crabbed Judeo-centric version of salvation, opting instead for universal love. In effect, Lerner takes the man who did so much to make anti-Semitic, misogynist medieval Christianity possible and rebrands him as a new Christ."
Northwest Indiana Times - Highly Recommended
"...As involved and detailed as the subject matter might sound, Silk Road Rising masterfully presents this play by Motti Lerner, neatly served up in two hours, including a 10-minute intermission, while seizing the hearts, minds and souls of the audience by way of a talented cast under the direction of Jimmy McDermott."
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"...As theology, this is somewhat interesting, but as drama, it’s stilted and plodding. Cantor doesn’t get much to do with his colorlessly fanatical protagonist although some of the supporting players add some much needed sparkle to the dreary proceedings. Glenn Stanton is entertaining as the narcissistic Emperor Nero, and Carolyn Hoerdemann provides some of the missing humanity as Paulus’s estranged wife."
Chicagoist - Somewhat Recommended
"...Silk Road has an admirable goal; challenging conventional stereotypes of Asian and Middle Eastern cultures through thought-provoking theater and multimedia content, which is no easy task. Just this year, the organization has produced show's that hit at the core of racial profiling and deep cultural divides, so it's not surprising they chose to produce Paulus, which brings together religion, ethnicity and personal struggle. The play is not one-size-fits-all-a good thing-but it fails to define its abstract ideas and questions to the average theatergoer. The show assumes you're well-versed in the specifics of the opposing ideologies surrounding the figure of Jesus in Jewish and Christian theology. Paulus skips the unfamiliar background material and dives right into the advanced philosophy. That may have been intentional, but it results in a show that, at this point, isn't for the religious layperson. Paulus needs a little more every man structure and untethered language to turn the show into something it truly should be; accessible."
Gapers Block - Somewhat Recommended
"...the directing does not enliven the debates and the acting is a bit uneven. The language sometimes seems stilted or awkward although this could be a result of the translation from Hebrew (by Hillel Halkin)."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Everyone involved argues and argues and argues in stilted phrasings (possibly attributable to Hillel Halkin's translation from Lerner's Hebrew) and stentorian tones about the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin and the Zealots and the 613 commandments of the Torah in repetitive volleys that only reminded this Protestant agnostic of my adolescent Sunday School classes. Director Jimmy McDermott's oddly static staging doesn't do much to enhance matters; only Elsa Hiltner's attractively draped pseudo-period costumes provide visual interest."
ShowBizChicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...With Paulus and their prior show, Invasion!, there seems to be a change in type of material the company is choosing, especially when a playwright’s point of view is almost shoved in your face. Theatre companies are living and breathing beings and the artists’ that create them and must be allowed room to grow and evolve. But the cautionary yellow light is flashing in hopes that Silk Road will get back to the great storytelling about human condition that I have come to count on and respect."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...I admire the hutzpah of Silk Road Rising for taking a chance with this most problematic play. Paulus may stretch credulity and be a tad too much for many to handle yet it is daring, provocative and enticing work. It will bore some, offend others, and yet I found it theatrically appealing in a strange way. It sure challenges us to think, analyze, and consider the nature and essence of our beliefs. Jews and Christians will find much to rile about. So make the effort to stay with Paulus' style, it'll payoff."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended
"...If you are seeking the road to redemption, Paulus, Motti Lerner’s play about the roots of Christianity receiving its premier at Silk Road Rising, will not show you the way. Part historical drama and part theological debate, the play is not certain what it wants to be, nor what it wants to say. This proves a fatal flaw in a production that, despite some powerful moments and interesting theatrical devices, does not provide the focus that would lend the piece relevance and urgency."
Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Directed by Jimmy McDermott, on a dimly lit set (Dan Stratton), I found this to be a rather large undertaking for this company as it veered from their usual plays and was a bit hard to follow at times. The darkness didn't help, but it was the story line itself that appeared to be lost by a large number of those in attendance on the play's Wolrd Premiere. The actors were strong, but the weakness of the script and story line made it hard for the audience to remain in focus. Having an intermission may have also been a drawback as it was hard to get back into the story after 15 minutes of socializing. 90 -100 minutes , with no break may just be a better way to do this play."