Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Brain Surgeon Theater's ensemble-written script, about three Depression-era families renting a crumbling house from a heartless landlord, lacks focus and dramatic urgency--weaknesses typical of plays created by committee. Still, the 11 adults and children crammed onto Joseph Riley's multilevel set demonstrate a solidarity that gives the show warmth, often compensating for uneven acting."
Windy City Times
- Recommended
"...Inspiring that response is a sharply focused cast wholly committed, adults and children alike, to vividly etched portrayals of the pilgrims populating this latter-day colony. Joseph Riley's scenic design packs front stoop, parlor ( with piano ) , kitchen, hallway, and bedrooms onto a stage measuring a mere 19 by 18 feet ( with a 12-foot ceiling ) , while Christopher Cole and Gwen Tulin's original music captures with uncanny accuracy the rallying optimism of its period. Hard times breed interesting beginnings—and Studebaker Place offers a dozen, at least."
Chicago Free Press
- Somewhat Recommended
"...While the resulting show contains a dozen delightful moments and powerful performances, this presentation of “1512 W. Studebaker Place” ultimately comes off as more of an entertaining first draft than a fully realized event. Part musical, part realistic drama and part “You Can’t Take it With You” comedy, “1512” does not, as of yet, have a consistent tone. The harsh ending, also, does not jive with the joviality preceding it-particularly considering that villainous Maggie Delaney comes off more as Cruella De Vill than a true-to-life monster."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Recommended
1512 West Studebaker Place is a highly affecting piece that shows how people deal in different ways with loss and despair. In its present production by Brain Surgeon Theater it is a highly promising work in progress that still could use some fleshing out. Even with an intermission, the play has barely worked up any dramatic steam before it is over. Those dramatic moments, many in the second half, are well earned though. And the original musical numbers by Christopher Cole and Gwen Tulin make one yearn to hear what this talented duo could do with a full length original musical."
Chicago Theater Beat
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The production’s greatest strength is its realistic and cohesive integration of adult and child players. The Kelly family, headed by Stanley (Buck Zachary), wife Olivia (Katie Canavan) and sister Louise (Gwen Tulin), with their daughters Kate (Layla Kornota) and Suzy (Megan Bishop), live cheek-by-jowl with fellow borders Mim (Amy Gorelow), her niece Juliet (Laura Deger), writer Walter Lummet (Jacob A. Ware) and his little boy Mouse (Ethan Baum). Months of back rent are due to landlady Maggie Delaney, executed with absolutely sinister menace by Lauren I. Sivak."
