The Walk Across America for Mother Earth presented by Red Tape Theatre at Steppenwolf Theatre

Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...The whole thing goes on far too long. But whether intentional or not, under the direction of Bonnie Metzgar (with Eric Huff), a gung-ho cast of 12 happy exhibitionists seems to be taking a more or less self-mocking approach to the material that offers some relief. To be sure, they let "the freak flag fly" at full mast (and yes, the use of that raunchy term is intentional)."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...With the entire ensemble painted in the elaborate makeup Mac favors and outfitted in outrageous costumes, and with Red Tape’s casting and ultra-game cast gleefully embracing a genderfuck aesthetic, The Walk is rather engrossing even at its messiest (and it’s rather messy). The piece’s illustration of the failure of ideals is relatable enough. But the wild characterizations and staging, which draw on both commedia and drag traditions, end up feeling alienating. Despite the explicit interactions and acknowledgements of the audience, we never feel part of this tribe."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...No question, Red Tape’s often hilarious, sometimes moving, dirty dozen have contagious fun with Mac’s rapid-paced nonsense and convoluted ribaldry. But at play’s end an unsettling doubt lingers. It’s all too easy to believe that right-wing reactionaries–the Joe the Plumbers, the Sarah Palins–could find this spoof and its caricatures a tad too amusing. To less sympathetic souls these ex-hippies seem too representative of the idiocy of do-gooders and bleeding hearts. It’s not funny when you give aid and comfort to the enemy. Are the jokes on us?"

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...I found that the show appeals to those transgendered souls and want-to-be’s . But the silliness, raw attempts at humor and movement offered little in theatricality to make this show stage worthy. It seems that the cast had a ball in acting weird on stage. Too bad they didn’t tell as story. This show needs more than wild costumes and facial painting to be worthy of an audience. I’d skip this one."

Around The Town Chicago - Not Recommended

"... I have participated in a number of marches on the left and one usually finds everything from Roman Catholic nuns and priests to Maoists, and I am sure, members of the LBGTQA community. Taylor Mac’s play “The Walk Across America for Mother Earth” decided to focus on the last feature of such coalitions in a march in 1922 to halt Nuclear testing on American Indian land in Nevada. Unfortunately, it does so in the most unflattering, and worse, non-affecting, way. The main character, Kelly (Alex Grelle), quickly becomes jaded by the motives and lack of any real connection between the protestors, fleeing from traditional American life at a time in which society even more vehemently refused to accept their identities, and the American Indians for whom they are ostensibly trying to advocate."

Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended

"...A production that overpowers and oversells the play it’s presenting is a difficult piece to enjoy. The admirable energy and enthusiasm of this cast, the work put into their eccentric, often grotesque costumes and makeups and the drive that keeps this troupe going and going cannot be denied. Feeling about 30 minutes too long this play, while it attempts to deliver a worthy message, truly makes its success and failure seem like the same thing."