Kabulitis presented by Polarity Ensemble Theatre at Josephinum Academy

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"... Though rich with potential, the play (in a production from Polarity Ensemble with Rasaka Theatre) feels like a draft in need of revisions. Based on the experiences of the playwright's parents, the piece could use more confidence in its storytelling, as well as some finessing of its clunky philosophical debates."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...The son of an American mother and an Afghan father, he chronicles his parents' dangerous attempts to bring Western-style modernity to mid-twentieth-century Kabul while also depicting his mother's subsequent struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Though the script is muddled, Anwar left the groundwork for a compelling tale before he died in 2010. Somebody would do well to revisit Kabulitis and shape it into what it ought to be."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"... The past and present weave together fluidly in Anwar’s script, a narrative device that director Lavina Jadhwani handles poorly. Transitions range from clunky to baffling (a gratuitous postblackout suicide sound cue), and conventions fade in and out at random (like how parts of the set are established as realms of the past and others as dominions of the present)."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"... It is a moving piece of theatre,done with care and concision and sympathy for all parties involved. Not to mention personal experience: the play is roughly based on author Keith Anwar’s family history. The humanity of the story is unbearable. The deteriorationofage weighs heavily on the audience. And yet equally as moving – at least – is thestory ofMildred’s lifein Kabul. The triumphs and the imposing and finally impenetrable barriersthatlay before her as a woman in Afghan society have the proper effect of revulsion, anger, sympathy, and helplessness. Kabulitis is a strong piece of theatre,and ultimately says something necessary and helps the audience understand and grasp thesituation we’re in on the other side of the world a bit better."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Overall I must say Polarity and Rasaka have developed a very interesting piece they should all be proud of. The ensemble, design team, and playwright all went together hand in hand, proving a close production staff can radiate an excellent show. A little hidden gem in “Kabulitis” was the rising star Catherine Stegemann, who played Mildred’s grandfather and another young child from Mildred’s life in Afghanistan. This young actress was last seen in Steppenwolf’s Garage Rep’s “Heddatron”, and she continues to wow audiences with her level of talent at such a young age of eleven. Of course she’s backed by a strong ensemble, which is my number one reason you should experience “Kabulitis”."

Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended

"...According to a program note by Polarity Artistic Director Richard Engling, Anwar did one final rewrite of the play before succumbing to aggressive cancer in 2010. Kabulitis may suffer the same fate as the musical Rent, another decidedly imperfect script that may have stood to change had its author not passed away before opening night. The end product isn’t bad, but its unrealized potential leaves audiences wondering what could have been."