The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Oak Park Festival Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...If you've seen "Shakespeare in Love," then you might be inclined to agree that "love — and a bit with a dog" is what audiences want. And thankfully, Jadhwani's production features a fine pooch in Morgan, a yellow lab who plays the socially unacceptable (and thoroughly adorable) "cur" known as Crab, companion to Proteus' skateboard-riding servant, Launce (Noah Laufer). Though the love in "Two Gentlemen of Verona" feels compromised and too easily won by the far-from-gentlemanly Proteus, the bits with the dog steal the show."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Still, using the basic tools of drama—strong cast, good costumes (by Emily McConnell), eye-pleasing set (by Margaret Goddard-Knop)—director Lavina Jadhwani transforms this into a satisfying modern-day staging. Jadwani recognizes that, for all its flaws, the play is peopled with believable characters (Vahishta Vafadari is particularly moving as the aforementioned devoted lover), and contains some fine theatrical moments, including a wonderful monologue on love, delivered with grace and power by Michael Pogue as Valentine."

ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended

"...The play is supposedly a bromance, according to the program, but that’s a problem because Valentine and Proteus don’t seem to actually like each other all that much, or really, anybody else. Lavina Jadhwani is an experienced director, so I have to think this is an odd misfire for her. The end of the play works better than what has proceeded it, as Proteus’s emotions seem genuine, but the actors can’t quite seem to either embrace the script, or break out of it."