Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...Heroes has a lot of laughs — especially if your sense of humor is slightly twisted and inclined toward (forgive me) graveyard humor. As rendered linguistically rich by Stoppard, this happily quixotic piece has a lot in common with “Art,” albeit with bigger stakes and older characters."
Chicago Sun Times
- Highly Recommended
"...Heroes (a far more telling title than its French original, "Under the Poplars") is certainly not a great play. It's a sort of "The Odd Couple" for three -- or four if you count the stone grayhound that sits on the leafy terrace where its three characters gather to shoot the breeze. But with its verbal flourishes and bittersweet tone you can see why it might have charmed Stoppard. And director James Bohnen has assembled the sort of uncanny cast that serves as a reminder of just how many "mature" actors are part of the Chicago talent pool these days."
Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Newly translated by Tom Stoppard, Gerard Sibleyras's 2003 play offers lots of harmless humor and some poignant moments, but has nothing of substance to say about friendship, war, aging, disability, or death. The uneven three-man cast of James Bohnen's Remy Bumppo production entirely lack French sensibilities. More to the point, since they're given little chance to play the boredom that purportedly crushes them and therefore don't seem to need to escape, the play doesn't need to happen."
Windy City Times
- Recommended
"...Remy Bumppo director James Bohnen has wisely cast actors of an age approximating those of the characters they play, ranging from elder statesman Mike Nussbaum as the serene Henri, through David Darlow in the role of the irascible Gustave, to baby-of-the-bunch ( but decidedly post-AARP ) Roderick Peeples as the fretful Philippe. It's easy to imagine younger, more robust, players sprinting through Tom Stoppard's witty translation with gleeful abandon. But these troupers, whose personal and professional progress has presumably taught them the value of more leisurely gaits, balance contemplative silences with lightning repartee in just the right proportions to secure our hearty endorsement of geezers determined to—by gum!—live every last minute of their lives."
Chicago Free Press
- Recommended
"...James Bohnen’s pitch-perfect staging combines with Tom Stoppard’s sprightly translation to produce a very French (as in whimsical, spun-silver and perhaps a tad precious) divertissement. If the conversations create the characters, they get rich help from veteran actors with consummate comic control. Roderick Peeples is fragile Philippe, subject to sudden blackouts and convinced that a stone replica of a greyhound keeps moving slightly. David Darlow is aristocratic and misanthropic Gustave, whose dour attempts to overcome his disdain for humanity prove surprisingly touching in their unpredictable pathos. Finally, wonder-actor Mike Nussbaum is practical Henri, who remains rightly skeptical of the others’ crazy scheme to escape to Indochina—or even to the poplar hill across the cemetery (where you know they will soon continue to keep company). Alas, for them not even a picnic proves possible."
Copley News Service
- Highly Recommended
"...Heroes is a comedy apparently written to give three actors the opportunity to deliver star performances for audiences sure to lap up the antics of three endearing old codgers for about 80 uninterrupted minutes."
Time Out Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...While their lecherous observations about the jeunes filles at a neighboring school might remind us of the French sympathy for Polanski, a planned excursion to a nearby stand of poplars, requiring the company to “rope up” in preparation for climbing, yields a sublime comic poetry. Heroes may not alter any world views, but it’s a testament to theater’s power to charm."
ChicagoCritic
- Highly Recommended
"...It is such a joy to witness such skilled stage craftsman at work! Roderick Peeples (much too young) was outstanding while David Darlow effortlessly nails his part with the ease of a real pro. But Mike Nussbaum finally gets to play someone his real age (85) and he does so with the zest, with spirit , and adroit aplomb. Nussbaum is an ageless Chicago icon and a masterful actor. He is a treasure to behold. Heroes will hold you for the entire 90 minutes as you laugh and cry with the foibles of these three eccentric old soldiers."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Highly Recommended
"...While this play is filled with comic moments, there are some bittersweet moments as well. What do they have, besides each other and their plan? Nothing! Except each other and as they argue we seem to feel that this will be gone as well. Or will it? Let me also mention that the lighting by Richard Norwood and the sound and original music by Jason Knox are the finishing touches to a perfect production. No matter what is going on in your world, you will forget it all for this 90 minutes of pure hilarity, and getting to see these three actors play off each other is a lesson in theater that will remain in your memory for years to come."
Chicago Theater Beat
- Highly Recommended
"...I’ve never served in a war, but I most definitely bond with friends over enemy activities. Heroes is an experience in friendship. Observing the ensemble’s interaction, you can’t help but find comparisons to your own life. Everyone has that friend who always asks “Am I getting worse?” to which your group responds, “I haven’t noticed.” Or the pal who hates everything, refuses to participate and then wants to know if anyone missed him to which your group responds, “Nobody gave a damn.” Or the buddy who goes along with the crazy plan right up until someone wants to transport a 200 pound dog statue up a mountain. Friends are the heroes that help you conquer life’s battles. Go with one to see this show!"
