Icarus presented by BoHo Theatre at Theater Wit

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...For those who prefer their plays more literal and less dreamy, "Icarus" (directed by P. Marston Sullivan for Bohemian Theatre Ensemble) is not the play for you. Everyone, it seems, is talking in some kind of metaphorical code — not all of it terribly effective. But the larger issue concerns the way playwright Edwin Sanchez's beachcombing misfits tend to talk at one another. As a collection of characters, they feel less than fully formed."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

".... Marston Sullivan's staging for BoHo Theatre features a sensitive ensemble--especially Brenda Arellano as Altagracia and Heather Townsend as an aging star called the Gloria. There are a few moments of spellbinding communion here that exhibit Sanchez's poetic compassion to great advantage. But Sanchez's reliance on secondhand Hollywood cliches tends to derail the story."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Boho delivers an impressive production, but the ambitious script isn’t consistently gripping. The spiritual center of the play lies with the truly gracious Altagracia, who is afflicted with facial deformities. Arellano plays the role with a fierce energy (though she is hardly convincing as ugly). “What if you could have any dream but you missed it because you wouldn’t even try?” she is asked. Altagracia is not afraid; her scars have strengthened her character."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...The cast nimbly moves through Sanchez’s episodic work with comic aplomb, romantic sparks and blind optimism. Brenda Arellano and Heather Townsend were particularly effective. We cheer for these lost souls; we share their dreams. The journey of 90 minutes with Icarus is one invigorating swim out to reach the sun. It is worthy the effort."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended

"...The characters, alas, are the plot.  Nothing happens except a final, pointless human sacrifice.  Since no real story connects, other than the easy beachfront rendezvous that Sanchez exploits, we’re left with the characters of the characters.  But - an even bigger alas - once you get past their defining quirks they’re no deeper than the sand on the stage apron.  This whole is much smaller than the sum of its parts."

Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...All of these people have somewhat dark pasts and very little future. Beau , while masked does spend a night with The Gloria and Altagracia, thinking he must be disfigured as she is, finds herself falling in love with him as well. When it is revealed that he is not the “ugly boy” that they thought he was, things change. When the story is revealed about why he is running and what he is running  from, we start to have feelings for him. In fact, one might say that Sanchez may want to take another look at his story and instead of making it 90 minutes, perhaps make it into two acts. I know this is not something you hear me say about plays, but I think Sanchez was on the road to having his characters become more human and t allow them to really express their inner selves and find what it is each is seeking might just take a little more time. The ending is a mix of drama and sentimentality and although we feel sorry for some of the characters, we do find ourselves happy for two of them, but the end comes to swiftly for some and never truly concludes for others. I would hope that one day in the future, BoHo or another company reboots a new and updated version of a story that has some real potential to make audiences feel that yearning for that which you cannot have is not asimportant as finding friendship and or love."

Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended

"...On the whole, BoHo has assembled a charismatic ensemble that is able to keep the audience’s attention even during the slower segments of the script. Chiola’s shattered Mr. Ellis is heartbreaking as he buries the fragments of his past life, and his character reminds the others to live and cherish every moment. Beauty comes and goes, but there’s a light inside everyone that burns like a star. All you have to do is reach out and grab it."