| Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Kids growing up too soon and raising their younger siblings because of absent parents can be rich territory, as the Gallagher clans in both the British and American versions of the television series "Shameless" demonstrate. And in its more playful moments, Stenham's script convinces us of the fierce bond these three have forged. But as the melodrama heats up, the believability fizzles out. These bold and brave young actors deserve a better showcase."
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Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...A mentally unstable single mother walks out on her three children, leaving them to fend for themselves in a London flat (hauntingly designed by Chad Bianchi). Jennifer Green's beautiful, painful production demands much from the talented ensemble led by recent high school graduate Olivia Cygan, who conveys both the perseverance and naivete of a kid who knows she should be scared but doesn't understand why."
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Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...While Lunsky’s one-note rage can become a bit tedious, his performance is balanced by the many colors of Cygan’s Maggie. The end of Act I, when Cygan sings a heartbreaking rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” to an injured Finn, powerfully shows how strong the bonds are among these neglected siblings. The horrific reality of the children’s lives comes through in Cygan’s fearless performance, building in intensity to the play’s devastating finale."
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ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...While the storyline is a tad concocted, the performances by the three teen actors was amazingly effective. They all sported fine British accents, including young Gabriel Stern. Reaching the highs and lows emotionally together with the physicality needed here would tax even a season actor yet Lunsky and Cygan (and little Stern) gave skilled and emotionally deep performances. The future is bright for these three. Once they tone down a tad and let the tension rise gradually, Tusk Tusk will emerge as a more wrenching drama."
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