The One And Only Ivan at Lifeline Theatre

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...James E. Grote’s adaptation of Katherine Applegate’s best-selling children’s book doesn't shy from the sad—I wasn’t the only one in tears—though it can feel a little exposition heavy at times. But Dorothy Milne’s clean, simple staging for Lifeline Theatre’s KidSeries moves things along, as do Joanna Iwanicka’s puppets and the minimally costumed actors (especially Christian Castro as Ivan), who convey their animal natures through physicality alone."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...I’m glad to see that she won a Newbery Medal in 2013 for her book The One and Only Ivan, and that Lifeline has adapted this book to introduce children to the joys of performance. The book is much smaller in scope than those serials from fifteen years ago, but if the adaptation is anything to go by, it contains the same complex characters and situations, with the same wonderment at the world’s grandeur."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...There are some tough themes in The One and Only Ivan, but ultimately the message is one of understanding and "making amends." The novel does not pretend that this is easy-in fact, for many the brutalities of life make it impossible-but it does make it clear that it is always important to try, and it gives plenty of hope for success. It is an important message that does not get lost in the translation to the stage at Lifeline. Besides being very entertaining, with plenty of physical and ironic humor, the play provides an opportunity for families to begin conversations about animal welfare, compassion and finding the strength to do what one should, even when it seems impossible. Even without kids, there are plenty of good reminders for adults, and some wonderful performances and stagecraft to admire, though the story may seem simplistic at times."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Lifeline Theatre's new children's play, "The One and Only Ivan", an adaptation of the 2012 Newberry winning novel by Katherine Applegate, is a touching story that really resonated for me, and as an added and most important bonus, my granddaughter, Molly, who is 5, liked it a lot. I give "The One and Only Ivan" 4 Spotlights."