Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"... Although fine actors abound, there is a missing collective antagonistic force. Your skin doesn't crawl at the thought of being married (like Masha) to an insipid, pretentious schoolteacher. You don't shudder at settling (like Irina) for the Baron when you wanted love. And you don't see the erotic possibilities and pitfalls of the other men — variously, father figures, lovers and models of personal disaster. You could. These actors could reveal all that if the tension built in a cohesive way. And if it did, you could unlock the mysteries and revelations of these three sisters, trapped in the provinces together."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"... In a story unfolding over several years, Chekhov gives us an assortment of philosophical and pragmatic personalities, each full of discontent or self-deluding denial. And as one of them wonders “Why is the brilliant Russian mind so depressed?,” Shapiro, the Tony Award-winning director who oversaw the chaotic family in Letts’ “August: Osage County,” choreographs her expert cast of 14 principals in this group portrait of disappointment and the dark human comedy. Her masterful set designer, Todd Rosenthal (in league with lighting designer Donald Holder), has devised a vast, free-flowing, horizonal space into which the characters often seem to drift as if unmoored. Only a forest of tall white birch trees (a beautifully framed scrim that adds just the right touch of distance) stands resolute."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"... Like all Chekhov plays, the action in Three Sisters ends with journeys that will separate many of the characters from each other for life, including men and women who in a better world would have spent their lives together happily and productively. But that’s not Chekhov’s world. Most of the characters have wasted their lives, but they still retain a spark of bravery and dignity in their weaknesses, yearning for sparks of beauty and decency in their existence. They may be a woeful and exasperating lot, but it was a pleasure being in their company for 2½ hours at the Steppenwolf."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"... The play is about the decline of the ruling class in early 20th Century Russia as they struggle to find meaning in a rapidly changing world. Frustration with their present lives and fear of change dominate. The cast led by Ora Jones as Olga with strong work by Scott Jaeck’s, John Judd and Derek Gsspar gave humanity and venerability to the characters. The tone of nostalgia permeates as the quiet desperation for happiness that eludes these folks casts a dark shadow on their lives. This production deeply gets to the core of Chekhov’s understanding of “Toska.” Three Sisters is a sweeping panorama of gentry life filled with well spoken characters deftly played by a superb cast. Chekhov’s themes are marvelously presented in a subtle yet powerful work. Kudos to Letts and Shapiro for mounting such a fine theatre piece. Chekhov would approve of this production."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"..."Three Sisters" is a play that I have seen interpreted in a variety of ways and performed in multiple theatrical styles. This is also the third time I have seen this play in the past five years. Just like Shakespeare, Chekhov will be dissected, studied, interpreted, translated, and adapted for the rest of time because of the timeless themes and exploration of the human condition. "Three Sisters" is an exploration of the downfalls and disappointments of life, the obstacles that hinder true happiness, and the tragedy that is our very existence. Tracy Letts has succeeded in keeping the original spirit of the play in this adaptation and director Anna D. Shapiro keeps the relationships at the forefront of the production. Letts has taken the themes of this play and kept them at the forefront of the dialogue, trimming the unnecessary fat and distilling the essence into a clear path that is easy to follow and understand."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Much like Julie, these THREE SISTERS are too wrapped up in wishful thinking to achieve their dreams. Under Letts and Shapiro’s guidance, the thought-provoking content is delivered with relatable snark and poignant takeaways. This THREE SISTERS is a classic take on an ageless masterpiece."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"... While Shapiro has put together a marvelous cast of players to tell this version of the story, I must say it is not for everyone. It is a “talky” show a sit is about people and their situations, and being so, the 2 1/2 hour production is focused on the dialogue and the characters, with little action, which for some audiences is boring, so I suggest that if you are not into “talky” plays or Chekhov’s intensity of characters, this may not be for you. However, if you do like Chekhov, you will love what Letts has done with this and with the exception of a few spots the staging is flawless."
Huffington Post - Somewhat Recommended
"... Despite these attributes, the show never fully comes together. It's a clutch of strong ideas and approaches mixed together with a heavy hand. You never feel these characters live and breath the same air. Sure, the sisters opine themselves as outsiders to their provincial lives and each sister represents a state of acceptance of the inevitable. But the tone of the piece isn't solid, and despite a handful of compelling performances, the show suffers from a lack of cohesion, and thus, an emotional core."
