Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Told by a pair of young Irishmen appearing as "40-quid-a-day" extras in a Hollywood movie, one of the anecdotes in Marie Jones' "Stones In His Pockets" involves Hugh Grant and a prostitute. The tale, recounted at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie with an ample amount of schadenfreude, is partly a reminder that this hugely popular comedy has been around for 17 years now and showing some age (where is a good Anne Hathaway reference when you need one?), and partly a very apt statement of one of its main themes: the perennial appeal to the powerful of slumming it."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Directed by J.R. Sullivan (whose revival of "The Faith Healer" at The Den Theatre earlier this season remains unparalleled), the production worms its way into your heart, teasing with comedy but seducing with tragedy. Those are big shoes to fill, but these actors also have a stage full of souls (and soles) to lace up."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Ivers and Vaughn differentiate their characters by too often going for ease over nuance. As American leading lady Caroline Giovanni, Vaughn borders on sophomoric, relying on a tilted wrist and a valley-girl voice while avoiding the underlying humanity that would make her compelling. And the transitions between characters feel muddled, which is especially problematic in the first act when we're still getting a feel for how everything works. The play picks up in the second half, when lighting and sound help clarify the shifts, and the main story finally reveals itself. Modest gains in the final stretch, however, fail to redeem the general disorder and lack of depth."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Masterfully directed by J.R. Sullivan, Stones In His Pockets is a tour de force of acting by David Ivers and Brian Vaughn. Watching these two create a multitude of characters is an exercise in the how actors must trust one another on the stage. The commradory between the two are infectious and is a study in technique for those who want to see the craft of acting at its most prominent."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...As the story progresses, we learn to love the characters, hate the hypocritical American film makers and we feel the pain as we hear about the desperate action of one young lost Irish soul. Humor and heartbreaking situations give Jones' script depth. You'll laugh and be amazed at the stage craft of David Ivers and Brrian Vaughn - they even do some expert Irish dance steps!"
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...What a fitting time to open an Irish play- St. Patrick's Day week-end , as Northlight Theatre celebrates with a quaint Irish tale, "Stones In His Pockets", written by Marie Jones. It is a story about a small town in Ireland where an epic American film is being filmed and many of the townspeople get the opportunity to make some money as extras. But, is it the extra money that they will earn that Ms Jones is writing about? Or is it in fact what the filmmakers will do to their land and their lives during this period of time."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The play originated in Ireland in 1999 and will connect most sensitively with Irish and Irish-American viewers, but it still offers considerable entertainment value to audiences at the Northlight Theatre who appreciate fine acting and sharp satire."
