The Radiant presented by Genesis Theatrical Productions at Athenaeum Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Shirley Lauro's tender, searching play, presented by Genesis Theatrical Productions, is adapted from accounts of Curie's clandestine affair with Paul Langevin, a married former student of her beloved husband, Pierre Curie, whom two Parisian packhorses trampled to his untimely death four years prior to the action of the drama. Debbie Ruzicka puts forward an overwhelmingly fragile Marie to James McGuire's shuffling and rakish Paul, her extreme demands-"Leave your wife and children!"-tough and beautiful in their urgent passion. Kaitlin Taylor directs."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...The Genesis Theatricals ensemble, under the guidance of director Kaitlin Taylor for this Chicago premiere, features a praiseworthy portrayal of its iconic subject by Debbie Ruzicka ( whose real-life science savvy lends credibility to her discussions of the experiments that would eventually destroy their adventurous perpetrator ) and game efforts by a trio of supporting players who struggle with nebulous dialects and dialogue sprinkled with ham-handed manifestos. Marie Curie certainly deserves the accolade of her own biodrama, but she also deserves a better one than this."

Theatre By Numbers - Not Recommended

"...Across her career, Marie Curie dealt with xenophobia, gender discrimination, and loss. "The Radiant" skims across these issues, and minimizes her work onstage. A better portrait would develop her steely resolve, and display how she chose to move past these obstacles into exciting new discoveries."

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...Genesis Theatrical Productions' new play, The Radiant, by Shirley Lauro, tells the story of Madame Curie's scientific discoveries and her tragic personal life. Kaitlyn Taylor directs this tightly written, 80-minute drama starring Debbie Ruzicka in a strong performance as Curie."

The Hawk Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...While the play embraces the complexity of the Curie's life, it would have been interesting to see more of Madame Curie in the lab. Displaying Curie engaging is scientific research and discovery would have enhanced the play's feminist appeal. The production is brimming with talent and each character was cast appropriately for their role. The antithesis of Chloe Dzielak's wide-eyed youthful energy and Debbie Ruzicka's stoic skepticism adds levels of tension and high stakes to each scene. For the most part, the cast maneuvers the French dialect well-an added challenge as Michael Lomenick enters as Lord Kelvyn from Scotland halfway through the play."

Picture This Post - Recommended

"...Curie and Langevin’s bumpy path towards love, scandal, and nearly into the jaws of ruin is witnessed by her niece Katarina, originally only in Paris to help care for Marie’s children for a few months, but increasingly her chief emotional support. Although it’s a smaller role, Chloe Dzielak’s Katarina is a highlight, at once more romantic than her aunt and more attuned to practical dangers. (In particular, her reactions whenever she walks in on the couple in a state of too-intimate proximity are sublimely hilarious.)"