True West at Redtwist Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Not Recommended

"...The toaster thief has returned, and I'm sad to report he is not in fighting form. Gaudy and violently over the top, Sam Shepard's "True West" is a cliché waiting to happen—all that bashing and thrashing are big fun, but only if the battle royale between brothers is as terrifying as it is comic. Too often, this Redtwist Theatre revival (directed by Si Osborne) misses the mark on both counts."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...tepid production, staged by Si Osborne, captures some of the work's dark humor but none of its coiled tension or feverish poetry. Nor does it convey the biological and psychic bonds that give the sometimes outrageous and violent action credibility."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...Johnny Garcia makes a suitably introspective Austin, flanked by Scott Jones as the clueless Saul and Ana Maria Alvarez as the phlegmatic clan materfamilias. But Paul Joseph appears to have played cracker-nasties many times before, in much larger auditoriums, with the result that by the time Lee begins to show himself capable of animal cunning, let alone rational planning, we have long wearied of his comic-book mannerisms and one-dimensional approach to his character."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...This riveting play is 95 minutes of strong drama played to the fullest and paced for maximum impact by two capable actors. Johnny Garcia’s laid back style made his transformation harder to believe. This intense drama will shake you to your core as you witness the destruction of the brothers."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Paul Joseph is often cast in unglamorous roles. He plays the kind of guy who can capture your interest against your better judgment. This thoughtful, intelligent young actor makes his Redtwist debut as the dangerous and volatile Lee, wreaking havoc on his brother who just wants to do his job, make a lot of money and drive back to the home he’s built for his family. Johnny Garcia, who has worked either on stage or behind the scenes on nearly every show produced in that space is a perfect foil, as the gentle, reasonable brother crushed by Lee’s machinations."