Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...Like so much in this singular, 600-page, 1952 novel — and now, at the Court Theatre in Chicago, a remarkable, 205-minute, must-see, three-act dramatic achievement adapted by the writer and filmmaker Oren Jacoby — that remark offers very good advice for anyone, say, staring with disbelief at the men who make up a presidential primary, or merely trying to deal with a neighbor of a diffrerent stripe."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Teagle F. Bougere, an actor of breathtaking range, easy grace and emotional depth, plays the nameless young man of the title. As he wrestles with his destiny and travels from the Deep South to Harlem, he gradually moves into what can only be described as a state of total erasure. Yet out of that bleak, ideals-stripped emptiness comes a strange awareness, so that his very state of erasure becomes the catalyst for his revelatory self-portrait."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"... The dozens of light bulbs that suspend from the stage of Court Theatre’s “Invisible Man” serve as a riveting metaphor for the ingenious skill of both Ralph Ellison, author of the ground-breaking novel of the same name and Oren Jacoby and Christopher Mcelroen, who adapted and directed it for this world premiere stage production. The horror and humor of Ellison’s examination of race is brought to life with stunning clarity. This play reveals more about American society than any sociological study.
- Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Each member of the ten-person ensemble shoulders his or her weight, but Teagle F. Bougere puts out a Herculean effort as the nameless title character, fully commanding the stage he essentially never leaves. Attention must also be paid to Alex Koch, whose brilliant projection designs are among the most essential I’ve seen; Classical Theatre of Harlem cofounder McElroen creates plenty of compelling stage pictures of his own. This Invisible Man should be seen far and wide."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"... This production has strong supporting players including Lance Stuart Baker, KennE. Head, A.C. Smith and Tracey N. Bonner. Once this work is refocused and trimmed, it’ll become an important theatrical work respectful of the groundbreaking 1952 novel. It is definitely worth a look – just stop at Starbucks for a jolt of caffeine so you won’t miss anything."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended
"... This three-hour, two-intermission Court Theatre world premiere is a doggedly faithful adaptation by Oren Jacoby, the first authorized by the Ellison Charitable Trust. Sprawling and ultimately enervating, the Invisible Man’s search for identity takes him from the South to Harlem in the volatile 30s and 40s."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...There is a lot of powerful stuff to see and hear in the INVISIBLE MAN. To make this classic novel a staged masterpiece, some of the scenes need to disappear. OR make Ellison's novel required reading to ensure patrons comprehend the inclusion of all the subtlety."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"... “Invisible Man” under the skillful direction of Christopher McElroen and some marvelous choreography by Tammy Mader on a simple, but workable set by Troy Hourie truly have created a show that keeps your attention and focus for the entire three acts ( over three hours in total), not an easy task! The costumes by Jaqueline Firkins and lighting by John Culbert along with the sound by Josh Horvath and wonderful projections by Alex Koch are the “iceing on the cake”, but I must say, it is the powerful cast that trule keeps our attention during this very long play."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...Invisible Man is a major achievement and a largely thrilling ride from start to finish. As the tormented beleaguered and ultimately enlightened title character, Teagle F. Bougere does the heavy lifting here, and magnificently so. Both narrating the action and central to it, he’s on stage for all of the piece’s three-hour running time. His energy and range are formidable, beginning as an eager, naïve young man certain that the world will reward his intelligence, integrity and ambition and incrementally morphing into the disillusioned, unseen outcast. Even if it isn’t entirely clear what quasi-magical metaphorical forces send Invisible Man to live (no spoiler – Invisible Man starts at the end and winds back forward) living in a cave illuminated by more than 1,000 light bulbs beneath the New York City streets, the components of his journey there are vividly, memorably etched."
