St. Jude at Victory Gardens Theater - Biograph

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...Luis Alfaro has the affable charisma of someone you can imagine knocking back a few beers with. He’s easy-going congeniality personified, and as he starts in on the new version of his autobiographical and one-man show “St. Jude,” he draws you in with his laid-back, personable charm."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Much of this hour-long saga is powered by raw emotion, informed by self-inflicted wounds and a troubled past. But a clever gimmick helps elevate it: the program doubles as a hymnal, and the audience/congregation is prompted to sing. By playing preacher, Alfaro seems intent on soliciting a bit of redemption, even if it's done with a healthy dose of irony."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...Alfaro’s “St. Jude” is a powerful, and somewhat religious look at as a man deals with the illness and ultimate passing of his father. During this 80 or so minutes, we are taken back to his youth, his family relationships, his personal relationships and his dealings with the Lord."

Picture This Post - Recommended

"...We leave with a better understanding of the role that parents play in the shaping of identity. We find out what it means to watch one’s parents die. This is difficult and personal subject matter. Alfaro tackles it well."

NewCity Chicago - Not Recommended

"...The show's stagecraft is lacking, with large windows overlooking a busy streetscape left uncovered. The piece is punctuated by readings delivered by audience members, providing illusory interaction, as well as by call-and-response hallelujahs and amens. But as much of the first part of the show is an attack on organized religion, it's not clear who or what is being praised, other than the author's own courage in the face of suffering. The work invokes St. Jude, patron saint of hopeless cases. Unfortunately, it's more of a hymn to Narcissus, patron saint of self-indulgent performance art."