QED presented by theatre4humanity at Flat Iron Arts Building

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Riley's energetic performance can't overcome the sense that we are passengers on a quick-and-dirty sightseeing trip through Feynman Land, barely registering the highlights as we chug along — the prizes, the pangs of conscience about unleashing nuclear weapons, the disdain for "the official way of doing anything" — but missing the opportunities to contemplate the deeper meaning of what we're being shown."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...Spending a solid 90 minutes perched on the edge of the brain of a genius might not be a restful exercise. But if the brain in question happens to belong to that highly original, playfully unorthodox, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, it is a sure bet that you not only will have a wildly thought-provoking experience, but an enormously entertaining, thoroughly exhilarating one."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Funny, Rob Riley doesn't look Jewish. He retains a resolutely Irish aspect all the way through his 90-minute, mostly solo turn as Richard Feynman, the American physicist who won a Nobel Prize for explaining quantum electrodynamics to the world. That can be a bit distracting whenever Feynman's status as a nonbelieving Jew comes up for discussion. But if he isn't plausible as a member of the tribe, Riley still does nicely as a quick, inquisitive, affable yet intense scientist who sings Rodgers & Hammerstein, speaks fluent Russian, dances to Tuvan throat singing, and has a uniquely concrete way of imagining the subatomic universe."

Centerstage - Recommended

"... He is ill and facing the likelihood of death, which he does with pragmatism and strength. It sets him off remembering his first wife, who died tragically of leukemia as a young woman. The only other onstage character who appears sporadically is Miriam (Grace Wagner) an undergrad who aspires to be a scientist. She also reminds Feynman of his lost love. There’s an obvious attraction between them, which is never creepy because lines are never crossed. There’s a sweet otherworldliness to their scenes together."

Chicago On the Aisle - Recommended

"... Richard Feynman (1918-1988) was a theoretical physicist with both feet planted on terra firma. He was equally famous for his contributions to the study of quantum electrodynamics and for his ability to explain such complex ideas in down-to-earth language. By all accounts, Feynman was very much the straight-talking, irrepressible and charismatic genius portrayed by Rob Riley in Peter Parnell’s bio-play “QED.”"

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...it is Rob Riley's impeccable portrayal of the eccentric scientist that carries the 100 minute bio-drama. Riley swiftly moves from one interrupted story to another effortlessly yet still maintaining a cohesive narrative. We see both the scientist - the inquisitive problem solver, and the human, loveable and humorous side of Richard Feynman. Riley's performance was impeccably honest. basically, a one person show (with a cameo by Grace Wagner as one of Feynman's students), QED is a most engaging glimpse into the psyche of a genius. I must confess that I had no previous knowledge (shame on me) of Richard Feynman but, after seeing QED, I now know the scientist and the man. I'm glad that I spend time with the free-thinking scientist. Catch QED and see for yourself."