The Divine Order of Becoming Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Recommended
"...It's an unabashedly sentimental piece, leavened with doses of wry wit and some fascinating insights into how parents have different relationships with their various children. In Erica's case, she is the baby of the family and the one that Eve feels she got to fully mother, after surviving the alcohol-fueled abuse of her husband during the childhoods of her older daughters."
Chicago Reader- Somewhat Recommended
"...Live percussion music by Red Clay helps guide the emotional transitions negotiated by Marina Dee as combative, strong-willed Erica, who finally faces a crisis she can't overcome, and Daryl Charisse as Eve, who has devoted herself to protecting her daughter but must finally confront her own fears."
ChicagoCritic- Recommended
"...The other lesson she learned was that when something bad happens, you have a small amount of time to feel angry and sad, but then you have to force yourself to move on. These are grim lessons for a play, but worthy ones, and the production convinces you of their wisdom. The Divine Order of Becoming isn’t all gloom; Charisse is often hilarious, and her Eve provides Erica with lots of good memories. Eve had a more playful personality than Erica, and they often complemented each other in everything from discussions on chin hair, to excitedly planning on buying a car. Stillwell knows how to find the emotional extremes in everyday occurrences, and blend them together into a coherent whole. That makes the play rich and textured, but challenges the audience to open themselves to it."