Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Truax's staging feels more like a Wes Anderson version of farce — stylistic choices (including mimed sound effects created by Steve Labedz) sometimes get in the way of pacing. But it's still a sturdy and cunning take on a seldom-seen work, and Lewis in particular delivers an arresting performance as an assured man with a possibly hollow soul, caught up in the never-ending dictates of his own well-oiled capitalist machine."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Molnar's premise is pure froth: bank president Norrison discovers that Lydia, the young, nymphomaniacal heiress under his protection, has secretly married communist cabdriver Tony, and Norrison’s got one hour to transform him into a corporate insider. Rather than making sense of the basics—like why Tony would go along with the plan, or why Norrison wields such influence—Truax flings incongruous characters into an abstract world where many but not all props and set pieces are mimed. The dubious concept confuses the story and inhibits the humor."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...The scenario of Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar's 1929 farce Egy, kettő, harom, or One, Two, Three-rather freely adapted here by Canadian writer Morwyn Brebner as The President-is both elaborate and simple. The title character, a captain of industry named Norrison (John Arthur Lewis), has been charged with the oversight of the daughter of a wealthy investor whose good graces Norrison must remain in for the sake of his own business interests."
Theatre By Numbers - Highly Recommended
"...All works out in the nick of time, but one must still wonder and reflect on the fact that one's morals can so easily be given up in exchange for success. The play, while funny, and very enjoyable, also makes you think about what we do and why. This show is very successful in just about every way."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár is much better known for the spindrift, gossamer pleasures of his Liliom (which inspired Carousel) and The Good Fairy (which gave us Make a Wish), musicals drawn from quicksilver dramas of artful delicacy and effortless charm. Written in the dangerous year of 1929, Molnár’s The President (originally entitled One, Two, Three) is stronger satire, a one-act prank that sardonically depicts how easy it is to turn a Communist into a CEO. Happily, it’s just as comical as cynical."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This 85 minute wild comedy is witty, bitingly satirical and awfully funny. Besides Lewis’ command of the stage, the ensemble is a hoot as many enter and re-enter as other zany characters all at the call of the president. You’d be hard pressed to see a funnier show filled with social satire than oracle’s The President."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Lewis makes a fine comic lead. Vocally and physically gifted, he throws himself into the concept wholeheartedly. He has fine women providing support - Joan McGrath, DeChantel Kosmatka, Susan Wingerter, and Sabrina Conti - with specific, detailed, and heartfelt performances as his office staff. The male ensemble is not as strong or versatile - only Steven Ratcliff gets a show-stealing bit of double casting. Delgado and Oliver are handsome and lovely as the besotted couple."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...THE PRESIDENT is fun...this one anyway. Elect to see it. And as always, the Oracle Theatre is committed to providing public access to art. "We make art. We make it free. We make it yours." The tickets are free but take cash or a check. You are going to want to give to THE PRESIDENT in the post-show collection."
