The Glass Protege Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Somewhat Recommended
"...But too often, "The Glass Protege" clouds our vision with repetitive, warmed-over "all that glitters isn't gold" observations about life in La-La Land."
Windy City Times- Recommended
"...Costello's script mandates characters bordering on comic-book proportions undergoing abrupt reversals in service of the plot, as well as an unlikely cameo by a volume of Dickens' Great Expectations, hinting at a lovers' reunion. What elevates this material above the genre it mimics, however, is the author's message of hope arising from lessons rooted in the suffering of past martyrs-a manifesto amplified by John Nasca's crisp direction of actors embracing their surprisingly articulate dialogue with unhurried ease, assisted by Robert Hornbostel's museum-accurate score of incidental music displaying just the right amount of schmaltz to bring us to the happy ending demanded of movies in an age of illusion forged from the blood and tears of those charged with its preservation."
Stage and Cinema- Somewhat Recommended
"...The Glass Protégé is a love story by default: Everyone else is so loathsome you have to like the lovers. Plucky performers, Nasca’s La-La-Land stereotypes treat their parts with a freshness that defies the dialogue. Their work is worth inspection, but don’t expect to feel a fresh breeze for two hours."
Chicago Theatre Review- Recommended
"...Dylan Costello’s admirable play, while not yet the flowing, finished work it needs to become, is worth visiting for its unique story and theme. For anyone interested in gay rights or the unsung machinations of the film industry, this is a thought-provoking, stylishly performed drama that will entertain adult audiences. It should be noted that there is full-frontal nudity and acts of simulated sex involved in this production; those easily offended might want to steer clear. However, more sophisticated audiences who are not easily offended will find this play to be a rewarding experience."