Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...But it's the songs that stir us and the women, whether soothing or inciting the savage beast within. McIntosh and Kiely's signature hymn in the show, "I Am Renewed," captures the evergreen desire for rebirth and freedom that drives us on to greatness and darkness alike. "Love is a fortress to drive out the faithless. Troubles so endless and old bitterness." Despite some narrative shortcuts, this production shows us tantalizing glimpses of the journey from revel to revelation to revolution — and the price each step demands."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Chicago audiences have forged a special bond with Greek tragedy in recent seasons with the chaos and fervor of those ancient foundational plays arriving with modern twists that illuminate rather than warp the originals. The latest example of just how brilliantly such an "update" can be realized is on view in The House Theatre of Chicago's world premiere of Damon Kiely's searing play with music, "The Revel.""
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...But Kiely pays inadequate attention to the world just beyond the scenes he puts center stage. It's a key omission, ultimately causing a well-paced, intelligently acted production to collapse into unconvincing hysterics."
Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Fortunately, this House Theatre production encourages us to set aside contemplation of weighty issues in favor of immediate spectacle. Leslie Buxbaum Danzig's acrobatic direction makes the most of Grant Sabin's staircase-and-catwalk scenic design, permitting actors to "climb" rough mountain paths or dangle from cliffsides, while Christine Adair's dialect instruction and Barbara Silverman's foot-stamping ethnic dances, accompanied by Jess McIntosh's score of live-action string-band ditties, immerse us in ebullient pastoral revelry befitting new-world worshippers of Dionysos, the original prophet of Love and Intoxication, inventor of the arts and humanities that we celebrate today."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...The production is filled with infectious, original country-gospel songs by Jess McIntosh, played and sung by the chorus of women. But Deacon’s apparently well-meaning motivations differ from Dionysus’ revenge drive in The Bacchae; when he disavows his followers’ gruesome climactic act and denies any power over them, we’re left to wonder just what fueled Agatha and the women’s frenzied fervor. Grant Sabin’s scenic design, with actors on runways above behind and through the audience and a number of rolling staircase units, leads Leslie Buxbaum Danzig’s staging to feel more busy than harmonious."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...The Revel is an incredibly smart adaptation, and it's no surprise that it was developed with contributions from the University of Chicago, which is currently in the midst of working with Court Theatre on new translations of other Greek tragedies."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Director Leslie Buxbaum Danzig has orchestrated a rousingly energized and enthusiastic production of Kiely’s adaptation. Staged upon Grant Sabin’s wood-hewn, mobile set design, composed mainly of movable bleachers and stair units, the play envelopes the audience, winding its way up into the mountains and down into the valley. Izumi Inaba has fashioned a gorgeous wardrobe for her actors in a palette of Appalachian blues, greens and grays. Flavored with Jess McIntosh’s original gospel hymns and Bluegrass accompaniment, and performed by the entire talented ensemble, this affecting, inspirational production absolutely rocks The House."
The Fourth Walsh - Somewhat Recommended
"...I can’t get behind the play THE REVEL. I could get behind the girl group THE REVEL. I want to strip away all the narrative and let these ladies perform in concert. That would be some uplifting entertaining. Something to revel in."
