Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Despite all that, every actor delivers at least one memorable character turn. These include Daria Harper as the rough-mannered shop owner, Deanna Myers as the afflicted cook, David Lawrence Hamilton as an introspective flight attendant who finds the cook's errant tooth in an unexpected place, Noah Sullivan as the unhappy father-to-be and Matt Fletcher as the living embodiment of "the cricket." As a theatrical meal, "The Golden Dragon" doesn't quite fill the bill, but there are some pungent and thoughtful elements on the plate."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Though brief, this incredibly intense work (whose title echoes the name of the restaurant), is completely satisfying. Credit the enthralling production by Sideshow Theatre Company, expertly directed by Jonathan L. Green and Marti Lyons, ingeniously designed by William Boles, and performed by an easily morphing cast of five who very matter-of-factly play against ethnicity, gender and type. Also take note of David Tushingham’s superb translation of a play whose language can shift on a dime, from the fiercely poetic to the sharply colloquial."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Through terse, elliptical scenes-in which men play women, young actors play old, and everyone narrates his own actions-Schimmelpfennig rather preciously illustrates the capriciousness of fate and the heartlessness of humankind. John Kelley's erratic lighting design keeps Sideshow Theatre's hour-long production aptly off-balance, but directors Jonathan Green and Marti Lyons present Schimmelpfennig's overly detailed scenes with unwavering coolness. As a result, few of the details are telling and few of the characters have meaningful inner lives."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Co-directors Jonathan L. Green and Marti Lyons keep this 60-minute play in constant motion. Schimmelpfennig's script, which often includes narrated stage directions and curiously announced pauses, showcases the talents of five actors at the top of their game. Producing artistic director Matt Fletcher is excellent handling a variety of roles, from a young waitress to an old father. Making her debut with this company, Daria Harper provides some of the play's most honest, carefully crafted characterizations, such as her committed fable storytelling. This unique theatrical experience both challenges its cast while successfully draws in its audience and keeps them guessing."
Gapers Block - Recommended
"...The Golden Dragon by German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig is a fanciful story presented by Sideshow Theatre Company. It's a sort of dark fairy tale about the workers, residents and guests at a Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese fast food restaurant in a warehouse building in a certain global city. We are not sure where, but it doesn't matter."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...It's a challenging piece to follow, and some of Schimmelpfennig's choices can feel like more spice than the dish calls for; the actors often narrate in direct address what their character is about to say before repeating it in character and verbalize hesitations in speech as "pause" or "slight pause." These kinds of tics in the script (the English translation, by David Tushingham, has previously been used in American productions in Washington, D.C., and New York), along with the writer's habit of having actors rattle off inventory-like lists of menu ingredients or kitchen implements, can feel like overpretentious padding."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"..."The Golden Dragon" is a different kind of play that you have not seen before. Schimmelpfennig draws you in with a gripping creative style, almost like German Expressionism, that stretches the imagination. Some images are raw and bizarre. Some you may never forget. Visit this small play but very large piece of humanity, and see if you don't hunger to see more."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...The actors who ride this rollercoaster of a play deserve the most credit for staying sure-footed throughout. There are some wrenching moments in the stories being told and these are fully realized by the five-person cast, who then quickly shift into the next character/moment. The device of having actors take on roles unrelated to their own age, gender or heritage, which could be gimmicky, actually becomes a powerful tool for revealing the attitudes that create the hatred, despair, victimization and, in a welcome respite, the hope and companionship of the characters. Deanna Myers captures the pain of the excruciating toothache and helplessness of the "Boy," as well as the violent bitterness of the man whose wife has left him."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Sideshow Theatre Company really takes a leap with The Golden Dragon. At first, the story doesn’t seem like it should be a stage production at all. The characters narrate much of the action: their backstory, thoughts, and even their pauses are said out loud. As a visual production, the structure lends itself more to a film than the stage. However, despite these hurdles, Sideshow Theatre Company overcomes them. At times this production becomes a bit dizzying, but they push through and it pays off in the end."
