In Love's Bright Coils presented by Genesis Ensemble at Charnel House Chicago

Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Genesis Ensemble's use of choreography was at times extraneous and sloppy. The use of a human body as a signal passing from one lover to another whether as telegram or instant message was revealing, but there were also interpretive dances that interpreted nothing. The venue, the Charnel House, is incredibly atmospheric; however, the acoustics left the audience flinching at the exuberance of a few actors, while straining to hear the muted pronouncements of others."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"... We’re guided through the scenes, Jiminy Cricket–style, by a black-clad male dancer who occasionally serves a clever purpose—functioning as a human anchor for a woman who changes her Facebook status to “in a relationship” is one shining example—but too often mugs distractingly. The entire cast is challenged by the unforgiving acoustics of the venue, a former funeral home in Logan Square. Above all, the shallow glimpses into romantic correspondence, whether handwritten or thumb-typed, don’t dig deep enough to even begin to address the declared inquiry into whether the way we communicate affects the way we love."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...With a minimalist stage setting, there is a heavy reliance on symbolism, specifically, Jake Carr, who represents the one constant…communication. Dressed in all black, Carr plays the invisible Hermes, quite well, but he’s most appreciated by those who embrace metaphysics. The audience seemed to enjoy the show, however, there were those who were obviously not savvy with the social networking scene. If you’re one of those people, then this may be lost on you. But if you appreciate poetry, especially the 1970 E.B. White poem that the shows name is derived from, then you’ll appreciate it."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Not Recommended

"...Love can be an extremely confusing venture. There are bumpy roads and sharp turns and the course never did run smooth. However, mass amounts of confusion do not make for a great night of theatre, and it seems that Genesis Ensemble has caught the confusion but not as much of the love in their newest piece In Love's Bright Coils."