The War Plays presented by The Strange Tree Group at Athenaeum Theatre

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...In mounting Emily Schwartz's sketchy, cliche-ridden The War Plays, the Strange Tree Group goes one better and plays the Blitz incoherent and cute. This may be the biggest programming blunder since the now-defunct Remains Theater lost its shirt with John Guare's execrable Moon Under Miami back in 1995."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...Over the last five years Strange Tree Group has created imaginative, engaging theater pieces exploring myth, fable, fairy tale and the nature of narrative storytelling itself. Under artistic director and chief playwright Emily Schwartz, their work has been visually and aurally complex. This time, The War Plays explores a narrative voice much closer to realistic drama than previous Strange Tree work I've seen. To be blunt, it's the first Strange Tree effort I'd rate a failure. The lighting is spotty and dark, some of the acting is bad and fundamental creative decisions seem odd, at best. Is director Kate Nawrocki entirely to blame? It's hard to say when the playwright also leads the theater troupe."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...The live band is terrific, starting the evening off with a bang, carrying us through the set changes, and finally leading us all in a rousing chorus of "We'll Be Together Again." As one character says to another in the first vignette, "I've made up my mind to fall madly in love with you – for tonight at least," and theatergoers are heartily recommended to do just that at this Strange Tree Group production."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...An atmospheric live band provides accompaniment throughout, and Vera Lynn is remembered with a final, full-cast chorus of “We’ll Meet Again.” The company’s flair for shoestring design vividly evokes the London underground and the shabby grandeur of a ’40s East Coast abode. The performances, too, are smoothly executed, with Elizabeth Bagby a fiery standout as the vet’s spurned lover, giving and receiving tossed drinks with aplomb. All in all, though, with its brief glimpses at intriguing but barely developed lives, the evening seems more like scenes from a work-in-progress or three than a fully realized show."

ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended

"...The all around experience of this cute, somewhat entertaining piece makes for a mildly worthy night at the theatre. Younger theatre patrons will not be so bothered with the details as I am.The Strange Tree Group usually produces stronger plays, so we’ll forgive them this one."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Kate Nawrocki’s period-perfect staging blends these disparate “war plays” as smoothly as it can, with much help from the plucky music troupe.  The clipped delivery, breathless ardor and efficient chitchat of the performances suit the era splendidly.  The young and attractive 13-member ensemble fit their parts equally well, even if the third scene sticks out with its strident lack of subtlety. "

Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended

"...Go back in time to World War II with Emily Schwartz’s quirky The War Plays, three connected one-acts about love during wartime given an especially charming bridge in The Strangetree Group’s world premiere production."