| Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Linney conceived the whole yarn as a farce-within-a-farce, and Stephen Fedoruk's compact production is lit by footlights. If you are a fan of American presidential history, have recently ingested some caffeine, and like some woolly substance with your theater, you might well find this an intriguing drama. Be warned though, it takes a while for the viable dramatic core to emerge. Linney has never been known for getting straight to the point, and this production needs more pace. Most certainly, though, it's tough to stage a full-on, large-cast, non-Equity, period drama in a tiny studio theater, and Eclipse mostly pulls it off, Chicago-style, with the significant help of some zesty costumes from designer Joshua Allard."
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Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...The actors strike a fine balance between the fervent and the satirical. Chris Jensen's cleverly metaphorical set suggests the grinding of the gears of state. And 'Democracy' gets my vote as a play every bit as engaging as Gore Vidal's 'The Best Man.'"
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Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...
The democratic clash of ideals, power and money has a perennial relevance, but Eclipse’s staging unhappily brings out the civics-class tone lurking within Linney’s play. The opening scenes, a series of static tableaux, move far too ponderously. Chris Jensen’s odd set, a garish abstract steamship, relinquishes the period setting from the get-go, and with a few exceptions, the performances fail to convey a place and time other than contemporary Chicago. The exceptions: Steinhagen’s anxiously plotting senator, torn between duty and self-interest, and Esther, sharply drawn by O’Keefe as a liberated but still vulnerable young woman."
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Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...The plot focuses on two ill-fated romances--one between a reform-minded Republican senator and an ambitious socialite, the other between an earnest young Episcopalian minister and a freethinking atheist. Linney's ironic takes on partisan scheming, the power of lobbyists, and the challenges facing would-be reformers resonate strongly now, as Washington wrangles over health-care legislation. But the play suffers from stilted dialogue and contrived plotting, and director Steven Fedoruk's staging for Eclipse Theatre Company--with its mannered, superficial performances and chintzy costumes--is a tedious affair."
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Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Despite the efforts of its sturdy cast, this nursery-room decor cannot avoid rendering the characters droll and cartoonish. Larry Baldacci as the baron, Barbara Roeder Harris as Miss Lydia, Jon Steinhagen as senator Raitcliffe and Nina O'Keefe as an enchanting Esther occasionally breach their environmental obstacles to engage, rather than distance, our involvement in the issues under scrutiny. But these rare moments are almost wholly—well, eclipsed by the clash in presentational styles infecting any potential enjoyment of Democracy's still-timely arguments."
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Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"...Director Stephen Fedoruk and his cast do what they can, and there are some strong performances — Prescott and Steinhagen, having the better-written plot, turn in the most memorable work — but in addition to the flawed script, they are hobbled by a clumsy set and sloppily constructed costumes. There is excellent work being done in places, but it never coheres into a satisfying play."
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ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Linney’s script is filled with conflicting beliefs about American politics, truth and the process of success. At time funny, scathing and amazingly relevant to today’s Washington, Democracy works due to the nuanced work by Jon Steinhagen, Stephen Dale, Nina O’ Keefe and Rebecca Prescott. Their performances far exceeds the material proving that terrific acting can make average material into a fine theatrical experience."
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Steadstyle Chicago - Recommended
"...Linney's thought provoking questions ultimately prove a lot more interesting and satisfying than either of the contrived romances. And the play takes a little while to find its focal point amidst so many characters and stories competing for attention. What ultimately emerges is a funny and juicy look at the wheels that keep a supposedly democratic nation spinning. Larry Baldacci is all devilish glee and bravado as the artist and aesthete Baron Jacobi, and Barbara Roeder Harris a wise and graceful delight as the elderly Lydia Dudley. Jon Steinhagen and Rebecca Prescott acquit themselves with distinction as Senator Raitcliffe and Mrs. Lee, respectively."
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