1985 Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Though Ernie Deak nails the leather-lunged Halas, the show lacks a consistent sense of danger, even of the cartoon variety. But then, finding a show with equal appeal to fans of Orwell and "The Super Bowl Shuffle" is its own twisted achievement."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Bear Nation is a totalitarian dystopia where citizens are forced to live in collective "Dens," express themselves in pun-laden Bearspeak, and submit to constant surveillance by "Papa Bear" George Halas. Freedom's last hope: an operative working for the Miami Dolphins of Flordonia. Eric Roach's production for the Factory Theater strikes the right note of barbed silliness, while Vrba's script evokes two emotions perfectly suited to a story about Chicago sports--nostalgia and disenchantment."

Centerstage - Recommended

"...The script works both as a witty commentary on the novel and a feast of jokes and references for Chicago sports fans (I missed a fair number of them), but it's worthwhile even for those unfamiliar with either. The exceptional ensemble attacks their vividly written roles with gusto. It's a rare pleasure to see nine people, working in the broadest comic style, getting their own laughs without detracting from the play as a whole. Director Eric Roach deserves much credit for keeping them all on the same page."

Gapers Block - Highly Recommended

"...Chas Vrba's original script deftly combines the eerie, mind-controlled state of George Orwell's 1984 with the eerie, mind-controlled state of Chicago during the 1985 Bears season run in this down-home, funny and thoroughly enjoyable production."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"... The piece nonetheless has its successes, including an ebullient cast and a set that evokes the suburban rec room to a tee. Vrba’s Winston is a doughy schlump, made winning by his efforts to fashion himself a slick detective. McKenzie portrays Julia with a mix of imperiousness and nutso fanaticism. And OKen renders Winston’s pal O’Brien in the no-holds-barred, Chris Farley vein. As written, O’Brien is both minor dictator and ardent disco-lover: Like much of 1985, it’s sheer, outlandish Dada, conveyed with zeal and, better yet, an utter lack of cynicism."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...Directed by Eric Roach on a small but usable set designed by Angelina Martinez, we are treated to an energetic crew of actors who appear to really be the sports fans we see at our sports arenas year after year. Devoted to their team and despite having the wind knocked out of them each year, they come back and cheer even harder. This script reaches a bit towards the comic sense of Orwell's "1984". Orwell called Serious sport, war without the shooting as it is filled with hate (we hate the other team), jealousy (how did they get him to play that well?), bragging (just think of the Sox World Series several years ago and the taunting those fans gave our Cub fans) and the pleasure of beating the snot out of the other guys."

Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended

"...It’s hard to talk about such a personal show without personally responding to it. And what’s wrong with that? This show is unapologetically specific, local and esoteric; which is the best that theater can be. Theater does not and should not have the scope of its competing form of entertainment. It is a personal, local thing. This show will not be for everybody. But for some people, it will hit nerves that run very deep."