Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...When does assimilation become erasure? In a sense, that is the most important question at the heart of "God of Isaac," James Sherman's deceptively serious comedy about Jews in America, circa 1977. First produced by Victory Gardens Theatre in 1985 (when, as now, it was directed by Dennis Zacek), the play is receiving a revival by Grippo Stage Productions, the company that last season produced another Sherman play, "The Ben Hecht Show," and whose mission is to "focus on cultural diversity, give voice to Jewish playwrights and ideas, and use theater to fight anti-Semitism.""
Chicago Reader - Not Recommended
"...Now the Grippo Stage Company is presenting a revival with Začek back in charge and the playwright's own son, T. Isaac Sherman, in the title role (Isaac, not God). It's a sweetly sentimental gesture, sure, but the play is still awful-telling what it could be showing, building to foregone conclusions, retailing hoary stereotypes as nostalgia, and-perhaps worst of all in terms of holding an audience's interest-failing to take anything resembling a risk."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This comedy has a unique structure that includes having Issac Adams breaking the fourth wall as he directly addresses his mother, Mrs. Adams (Anita Silvert) at the show’s start and periocially throughout the two acts. Mother is a sterotypical ‘Jewish mother’ who garners some laughs. As a personal search for his Jewish roots, Issac, who isn’t a prating religious Jew, starts to realize that being Jewish is more than simply being born from a Jewish mother."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...”You don’t have to be Jewish”! That is the first thing I might say about James Sherman’s “The God of Isaac” now in a revival at the Piven Theatre in Evanston. Presented by Grippo Stage Company, this touching story takes place in Skokie during the 1977 period where the Nazi party asked to hold a march in this northern suburb. The original version of this play was directed by Dennis Zacek at the old Victory Gardens Theatre in 1985, and guess what? Ah, you guessed! He directed this version as well. What makes this version even more special is that the lead role, Isaac Adams (which in reality is playwright Sherman’s semi-autobiographical look at his own life) is being played by T. Isaac Sherman, his son! I told you this was special."
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...You don’t have to be Jewish to understand a search for meaning. Grippo Stage Company’s The God Of Isaac is a tale as fresh today as it was in 1985. For Jews of all stripes, Gentiles and shiksas, there is no escaping the charm of this tale and its lesson to find the good in our heritage and all that we will create from it."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The strength of this particular production is not just with its relevancy but its familiarity. T. Isaac Sherman (Isaac), who is also the son of playwright and role originator James Sherman, breaks the fourth wall as if he’s telling an anecdote during a high holiday. The direct placement of Anita Silvert (Mrs. Adams) as well as her interaction with the audience creates an even more intimate atmosphere. These characters are archetypal enough to resemble family members around the dinner table but developed enough to surprise you in ways your family never could."
