Private Lives presented by ShawChicago at Ruth Page Center For Arts

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Under Barbara Zahora's direction, Lasswell and Michell don't quite achieve the flippant insouciance required for their characters-roles Coward created for himself and Gertrude Lawrence-but their mastery of the language brings out the delicious musicality of Coward's fast-flying repartee, a distinctive mix of sophisticated elegance and screwball absurdity."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...You'll be impressed with the fabulous acting by this stellar cast, whose excellent high British accents, proper posture, and manners wonderfully articulate Coward's stinging dialogue with impeccable comedic timing and appropriate gestures and facial expressions. I especially appreciated the terrific work by Michael Lasswell and Mary Michell. It is difficult to do this work justice in a stage setting, but this cast does yeoman work here. Private Lives reminds us just how intelligent Noel Coward was as a playwright."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...The production still brims with Cowardy command, thanks to Barbara Zahora’s expert direction. She’s guided her actors to create characters that are strong, honest and urbane, while allowing the playwright’s superbly-written language to rise to the surface, always bubbling and fizzing like a newly opened bottle of champagne. This is a show that will leave audiences inebriated with laughter."