Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"... Those expecting a nostalgia-drenched narrative view of longtime coupledom, a la A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" or "I Do! I Do!" may be disappointed by "Skin Tight." And those looking for a dark-night-of-the-soul excoriation of marriage as an institution might similarly feel cheated. But the broken moments and revelations in Henderson's play, both profoundly sad (estrangement from one's only daughter) and playfully pointed (the collection of "petty annoyances" that accumulate over any long-term relationship) add up to an affecting mosaic."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Gary Henderson's 1998 one-act hasn't been presented in Chicago before, but his labored attempt to create psychosexual edginess feels drearily familiar. Director Victoria Deiorio puts actors Tosha Fowler and Tony Buzzuto through intermittently exhilarating paces in this 50-minute inaugural production from Cor Theatre, and the fight choreography by Scott Cummins and Julia Neary is harrowing."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...It takes 60 minutes for this love song to reach its conclusion—an hour of raw emotional disclosure riveting our attention in an auditorium so intimate that opening-night playgoers were visibly holding their breaths during the delicate adagio involving the sharpened blade of a paring-knife. Tony Bozzuto's and Tosha Fowler's performances deliver an infectious synergy, while Lindsay Jones' sound design maintains the environmental synchronicity associated with romanticism, elevating the mood to operatic levels despite the starkly minimal scenic ambience. Victoria DeIorio's direction seamlessly integrates the flow of physical spectacle and verbal revelation, allowing us nary a pause in our anticipation of the ending we know is inevitable. When it arrives, the catharsis can be felt throughout the whole room."
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"... Mostly though, the sadomasochism takes the form of well placed punches and kicks. I’ve seen and heard some freaky things but this is the first couple I’ve seen depicted as getting off on highly choreographed stage combat. The show is so short and fast paced, all of its interesting moments fleet by too quickly. The show is intriguing but not fleshed out enough to achieve its potential."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...Through movement and prose, Henderson chronicles a marriage from its first timid, innocent acts of physicality to heart-wrenching separation, touching on the impassioned arguments that complicate it along the way. It’s also a showcase for the potential traps of a heightened approach: At 50 minutes, there’s little time to build the relationship with Henderson’s characters we need to put their joys and miseries in context. Poetry is, in essence, what’s left of language when you strip away what isn’t absolutely necessary to convey visceral impact. Henderson’s storytelling sometimes makes cryptic and heavy what ought to be ethereal. Fowler’s and Bozzuto’s tender performances, though, cut through the occasional rhetoric. Their moments without speech speak more clearly than any dialogue—and when they laugh, they glow."
Chicago Theatre Addict - Recommended
"... Skin Tight, a 60-minute power play by Gary Henderson which is receiving its Chicago premiere by the brand new COR Theatre company, condenses a pair of lives down to the bare bones. From the explosive opening sequence where Tosha Fowler and Tony Bozzuto spar with each either like a couple of ‘roided cage fighters (outstanding fight choreography by Scott Cummins and Julia Neary fearlessly executed by the pair) to the sensuous and devastating final moments, this is a disturbingly dysfunctional romantic life, lived to the max. Punches dissolve into passion, guilt evolves into giddiness. Every conflicting emotion makes a fleeting guest appearance."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"... Skin Tight is one of those little gems that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. It ekes out the power of live theatre magnificently. What a engrossing hour of theatre! I can’t imagine a finer off night show."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Trust you are in the excellent hands of director Victoria Deiorio who makes every moment feel brilliantly authentic. She has a perfect pair of stars in Tony Bozzuto and Tasha Fowler who fight as hard as they love. Scott Cummins and Julia Neary's fights, Lindsay Jones original music and sound, and Samantha Umstea's costumes are all pitch perfect. I don't want to say any more, as anything I say cannot be praise enough. Bravo!"
