Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...Would “A Twist of Water” carry such force at another time, when there had not just been an election, when change was not so much in the air? Perhaps not. But as Chicago has always known, somewhere deep in its grumbling collective belly, it is always about the present moment. Parrish has caught that truth, beautifully, in the wind off the lake."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...A Twist of Water, now in its world premiere in a Route 66 Theatre production at Theater Wit, is a play full of passion, purpose, intelligence and bursts of poetic writing. But it also is awash in a tsunami of metaphors, and a tidal wave of issues that come very close to drowning each other out."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...To drive home already obvious points, Parrish gives Noah protracted monologues that connect each stage of his emotional recovery to an episode in Chicago history (although Cleveland or Buffalo history would do just as well). Erica Weiss's perfunctory staging doesn't help. Under the circumstances, it's astonishing that her cast still manage to create so many poignant moments."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...Stef Tovar is well-versed at playing all-American middle-aged Nice Guys, acquitting himself capably as the grieving Noah (who wasn't allowed to say goodbye to his husband). Alex Hugh Brown lends Liam a refreshing candor, as does Lili-Anne Brown as the fairy godmama bred of orphans' fantasies, both of whom suffer misleading introductions before transcending cliché to become plausible and individualized personalities. What focuses our sympathies, however, is Falashay Pearson's performance as the lonely Jira, whom you want to sweep up in your arms—or at least offer your scarf—along with assurances that everything will get better. Really."
Copley News Service - Highly Recommended
"...The production is enhanced by Stephen H. Carmody’s set, Sean Mallary’s atmospheric lighting, Alarie Hammock’s costume design, and especially Lindsay Jones’s sound design and original music. The playbill says that Parrish is currently working on an MFA degree at the University of Southern California. Let’s hope she has another drama in her with the intensity and honesty of “A Twist of Water,” with Stef Tovar in a central role."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Stef Tovar bares his soul as Noah, a middle-aged parent trying desperately to reconnect with Jira, his adopted daughter (touchingly played by teenage actress Falashay Pearson), while beginning a new relationship with Liam (brilliant newcomer Alex Hugh Brown), the young English teacher who brings poetry, humor and wisdom to their world. Lili-Anne Brown is touching and strong as Tia, the mother who gave up Jira because she was just a baby herself. Altogether, this exquisite cast bathes in the waters of truth."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...There is perhaps an overemphasis on Chicago itself; Noah recounts the city’s history in interstitial segments of narration. Despite beautiful use of projections (by John Boesche) on Stephen H. Carmody’s aptly fluid set during these lessons, drawing parallels to a larger picture becomes increasingly unnecessary. Parrish’s characters and story are rich enough on their own. This is compelling work, well worth sitting through a bit of history."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...All-told, this is a solid piece of work, well-written, incendiary acted, with well-crafted sets and good use of projected backdrops, and wonderful, ambient/shoe-gaze/indie transition music (not to mention Michigan artist Sufjan Stevens’ album Come On! Feel The Illinoise! playing pre-show and intermission). It is well worth the time and money to see these four actors making this stage piece, a sort of love letter to Chicago, come to life."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...Co-created and directed by Erica Weiss, the two-hour domestic drama resonates on many levels, with bracingly honest performances from a marvelous quartet. Pearson, for instance, feelingly balances Jira’s apparent ingratitude for Noah’s love against her adolescent hunger for a too-convenient certainty and conditional security. Alex Brown roots Liam’s seeming glibness in a no-nonsense tough love that’s just what Tovar’s needy Noah craves. Lili-Anne Brown’s lost mother is just as conflicted as the situation demands."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...
Tovar and the female cast members have exhausting moments of vulnerability. Each breakdown in heartbreaking misery over the inevitable epiphany: they have no control over life tragedies. Falashay Pearson (Jira) plays rebellious, thoughtless teen perfectly slap-worthy. Then, Pearson endears with desperate angst to connect to her family. Lili-Anne Brown (Tia) is authentically out-of-control of her emotions."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...This is a very moving and touching story directed with a great sense of feeling and heart by Erica Weiss, who helped to create this wonderful and moving story. The set by Stephen H. Carmody is mostly a video projection screen with projections designed by John Boesche and some marvelous phots of old Chicago making this almost a history of the birth and rebirth of our great city. On the eve of the 2011 Mayoral election, it would have been very cool to have all the candidates in the audience and see their reactions to this glorious story of our city and some of the people who call this their home! The music and sound by Lindsay Jones and the lighting by Sean Mallary are the icing on the cake of this marvelous theatrical experience. I will suggest that you bring some extra Kleenex with you as there are moments where your eyes will swell to the point where the tears cannot be held back."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...A Twist of Water is an important play that speaks to our time. Hopefully it will see an extended run because it deserves a large audience. Just remember to bring a tissue because, when I saw it, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house."