Social Creatures presented by Tympanic Theatre Company at The Den Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...I like the premise enough - think "Walking Dead" crossed with the sardonic, human-beings-are-the-worst portraiture of "Lord of the Flies" and "No Exit." Ultimately, though, both the script and Nathan Robbel's direction for Tympanic Theatre fail to adhere to any kind of internal logic. You find yourself wondering about the viability of details that shouldn't matter, and story moments that should."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...These mysteries might add up to something provocative (Drury intermittently dallies with social and racial politics throughout) were it not for other mysteries that reveal how implausible the whole thing is. How has this crew run a gas generator indoors for months without being asphyxiated? Why is the theater amply stocked with canned food? Why did no one think to lock the door? And, with apologies to Tympanic Theatre Company, how could these people end up in a theater in the first place?"

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Ultimately, though, the production doesn't really hang together. There's too much introduction before the wrinkles appear in what's otherwise a fairly formulaic piece. And its ending is too odd and too quiet to give a satisfactory conclusion to a 90-minute play that, for all its suspenseful positioning, feels much longer."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...The atmosphere of fear never materialized, only boredom. The script was cliche-ridden and the acting was pedestrian at best. I also never bought how members of the community evolved into zombie-like creatures. There was never enough tension built to sustain the transition from fearful survivor to flesh eater. The slow pace killed off the necessary tension and suspense. It is amazing how long 90 minutes can seem! Unfortunately, Social Creatures is a dud that begs to be skipped."