The K of D: An Urban Legend Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"... for various, strange reasons, the force of what is supposed to be a summer ghost story doesn’t really land. Part of the problem is that the dependence on narrative dilutes the kind of force that the House Theatre of Chicago, for example, exploited so dramatically with “The Sparrow,” a show with a similar theme. “The K of D” gets bogged down in linguistic and poetic pretension that often come at the expense of telling the story as simply as this actress is performing it."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...Under Meredith McDonough's incisive direction -- and with help from Steve Key's wonderfully evocative wharf set and the brilliant sound effects by Lindsay Jones -- Whiteside makes every fish face, every cigarette puff, every quirky speech pattern and, most crucially, every act of cruelty and kindness come to life with the clarity, polish and timing of a master. As for her evocation of a heron, it is nothing short of poetry in motion."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Gwendolyn Whiteside is goofy, engaging, and empathetic playing all of the roles in this Route 66 Theatre Company production--especially the kids--and she receives a great assist from Lindsay Jones's terrific sound design. But Schellhardt dilutes the sad and gritty power of this ghost story with too many self-conscious writerly detours."

Chicago Free Press - Highly Recommended

"...Working on Steve Key’s dusky, multi-dimensional set, actress Gwendolyn Whiteside proves she is also well aware of those traumatic ramifications. She steeps her characterizations in the lifeblood of wondrous hurt and inquisitive joy. Magnificently, each of the fifteen different characters she plays are so well delineated that one never ponders whom she portraying at each moment. Whiteside ultimately makes this haunting summer play a true celebration of her talents and of Schellhardt’s twisted, beautiful world."

Copley News Service - Highly Recommended

"...The K of D is like a good ghost story told around a flickering campfire, with the shadows concealing who knows what mysteries. The play has an agreeable ending, with the bad guy getting his comeuppance. But there is also an elegiac quality that nostalgically commemorates a vanishing world of small town America a generation or two ago. All in all, a very satisfying adventure in suggestive storytelling, and a terrific display of versatile acting."

Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended

"...In Ms. Schellhardt's story, getting its first full staging here in the Old Town part of Chicago, a mysterious heron seems to have taken on the spirit of the dead boy, and the beating of its wings is dreadful and foreboding, thanks to Lindsay Jones' remarkable sound design. The lighting is quite minimal, which is not unusual for a company only two years old. But the sound of summer crickets and frogs and colorful scenes by a man-made lake help create an isolated, tidal pool effect, where these teenagers confront their coming-of-age crises with great humor and drama. And only occasionally are we aware that the full weight of the story rests on Ms. Whiteside's narrow shoulders, where it also (amazingly) takes flight."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...It's damn near impossible not to be wooed by the poetic pantomime and rural ramblings of "The K of D" (written by Laura Schellhardt), with insights such as, "If God wants to find you, he don't send a Dodge, that's for sure." What's even more amazing is that a play about supernatural powers is told with such simplicity - minimal props, very little staging. Yet the effect is made all the more compelling because of it."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...We’re still attracted to the idea of urban legends, as was made evident by last week’s fevered Internet discussions (invoking the Final Destination movies) of the woman who missed the doomed Air France flight only to die in a car crash. Spooky, word-of-mouth modern myths have a pull. The playwright appears to want to explore that fascination, but in a world that includes accessible debunkers like snopes.com, making such tales plausible requires a bit more exercise."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...I applaud director Meredith McDonough and the design team for truly immersing me into the world of the play. The direction was cinematic with a razor sharp attention to detail. Steve Key created a simple, but effective set. Lighting designer Jesse Klug created an atmosphere where at one moment I was watching a sunset, immediately followed by an eerie and desolate roadside. My hat goes off to Sound Designer Lindsay Jones for creating a sound scape, which served as another character in the play."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...This production is directed by Meredith McDonough, who utilizes the small stage at A Red Orchid to its best advantage and makes the audience feel as they might be sitting at a campfire hearing this story, one-on-one from our story teller, who may or may not be Charlotte. The sound design is a superb piece of work by Lindsay Jones that plays an integral part in telling this story as do the lights by Jesse Klug. This show is not for all audiences, but for people who enjoy mystery and in-depth character studies, this is one not to be missed. Ms. Whitside's energy and agility along with her marvelous characters are a must for anyone aspiring to be an actor. It is a learning experience as well as a theatrical one. While the town is in Ohio, this could be any small town in any state in our country. The legend is well written, well directed and marvelously performed."