The Good Soul of Szechuan Reviews

Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...In the end, you leave "The Good Soul of Szechuan" feeling as if you've been hit over the head with its left-leaning message that goodness and capitalism cannot coexist. Brecht's dark worldview is a jolting reminder that all is not well in the world -- neither then nor now. But you already knew this, didn't you?"

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Szechuan may be one of the classic works of 20th-century drama, but there's nothing stuffily "classic" about Strawdog Theatre's electrifying new staging. Ebullient, spontaneous, sometimes raucous, and thoroughly contemporary, this production has a loose, improvisational feel that belies its fidelity to the text."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...Good Soul" is so agitating and entertaining, you will leave the theater texting all your friends to see it if they know what's good for them. Even if you're no longer really sure what "good" means."

Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended

"... The actors double as musicians for Mikhail Fiksel and Mike Przygoda’s Weill-punk-rock numbers and change clothes in full view; costume designers Aly Renee Greaves and Joanna Melville wittily outfit the cast in modern thrift-store chic. But style doesn’t outweigh substance: Brecht’s poke at the irrationality of charity in an economic system that rewards selfishness remains potent. Leading an engaging, creatively cast 18-member ensemble, Petro shines."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...If you love Bertolt Brecht’s plays and powerful ensemble theatre, than Strawdog’s The Good Soul of Szechuan is for you. Keep in mind that is unconventional theatre devoid of naturalistic elements.  Epic theatre makes its own rules. In this production, they work to explore the morality and nature of human goodness. A provocative theatrical experience awaits."

Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended

"...In the end, it’s another Brecht show with another Brecht message: Capitalism makes people do bad things. The biggest problem with epic theatre is that after a while it’s just not fun to watch people struggling, but when a company is having as much fun as Strawdog does in The Good Soul of Szechuan, the dark corners of human depravity don’t seem that bad a place to be."