| Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...This hyperintelligent but emotionally dysfunctional family--and the outsiders drawn into their twisted mind games--are portrayed with convincing spontaneity by a fine ensemble under Braden Lubell's direction. But the acting can't sustain the tedious, overplotted script for this patience-taxing soap opera."
Read Full Review
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...A fresh and piercing look at the fallout after the idealization of love meets the reality of human pettiness and insecurity. Unfortunately, the deft story, which insightfully weaves together the sexual and romantic exploits of a truly damaged family (its overt concern with polyamory thankfully relates and extends to the ins and outs of everyday romance), gets pulled irrevocably into the world of soap opera after almost two and a half hours of dramatic scenes that sometimes seem farcical; and in the final scenes, when the show suddenly crosses the Rubicon into melodrama, it’s hard to feel any emotional investment."
Read Full Review
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Though the actors are adept and spirited, especially Gotz and Pechman as the twins, the characters are built precariously upon their ability to spout quick retorts and slick academic facts. By the time their inner demons do show up, it’s considerably difficult to see Ellen (a too-young Keach) as more than a haughty, analytical bitch who’s messed up her equally overbearing kids and her helpless boyfriend (Fiorentino). Though the play’s most straitlaced character, a hopeful high-school geometry teacher named Hallie, does inject some energy into the proceedings with a clear motivation (and a charming, unaffected turn by Ellison), the show’s still by the textbook—full of information and, ultimately, predictable."
Read Full Review
ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended
"...While I enjoyed some moments, especially Tony Fiorentino’s performance, I found the play to be a contrivance as it tried too hard to critique current notions of love, monogamy, and marriage. Tony Fiorentino is a talented playwright with an impressive list of comedies. All My Love has its moments but it sure could use a trim and a tighter focus."
Read Full Review
Chicago Stage Standard - Somewhat Recommended
"...I was impressed with the acting, in particular Bridgette Pechman and Arianne Ellison, who were most believable in their characters, along with Mr. Breau. While Fiorentino is a little young for Jack, he pulls it off. The air system at the Theatre Building made it a little hard to hear during the second act and these were the scenes that had the most meaningful lines. The story does have a somewhat happy ending where Jack and Ellen agree to take their relationship to a different level. I won't give you the exact way in which they do, because that would ruin the presentation, but it is a bright, feel good ending."
|