Three Days Of Rain Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Recommended
"...director Derek Van Barham's staging, despite some over-loud moments in the first act especially (the tiny Heartland Studio space has a lot of aural bounce to it), creates a mostly compelling environment, aided by Patrick's Ham's cunningly detailed set and the hints of actual rain (not just the emotional metaphor variety) in Kallie Rolison's subtle but effective soundscape."
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
"...Curry is riveting as the quirky, narcissistic Walker and the shy, sensitive Ned, and Black-Spence is equally compelling as the nurturing Nan and especially the flamboyant, mentally unstable Lina, whose eccentricity-so alluring to Ned-will, we know, lead to a madness that will wreck her marriage and traumatize her children."
ChicagoCritic- Recommended
"...Three Days of Rain is a dialogue-heavy, cerebral-leaning drama that tends to emphasize its ideas over its pathos. In other words, there's little pause for sentimentality to be found here. Depending on your own inclinations, this could make for a fruitful, post-show discussion, or it may leave you disconnected, as most if not all of the characters are just that: emotionally disconnected. That said, it is a strong script and an interesting story, so chances are you'll find something to appreciate here."
Chicago Stage and Screen- Recommended
"...Three Days of Rain doesn't leave us with any easy answers, demonstrating that the whole truth of a person, even one you thought you knew, is basically unknowable. But, as Theo says at one point, "anything's tolerable if you just talk about it." Maybe we can learn more about each other than we think, if we're able to listen to each other before it's too late."
Irish American News- Highly Recommended
"...Three Day of Rain, by Richard Greenberg, is one such offering. The story of a family harassed by the secrets of the past is not a new theme. Most families would attest to their own brand of ‘secrets and lies’, but Greenberg’s play aims to show how these hidden truths continue to affect us like an open sore. The play aims to jar us with its edgy delivery, but sometimes this is misdirected and alienates instead of eliciting sympathy. The first act seems to celebrate the playwright’s witticisms more than addressing a much needed character study, whereas the second act engages us more with the heart of those who perpetrate the lies, and this is largely due to the superb acting of Kate Black-Spence. What Black-Spence brings to the work in the second act is much needed vulnerability. Her performance as Lina adds depth, and a range of shifting emotions that draw us into the character’s fragmented world."
Picture This Post- Highly Recommended
"...Since Greenberg's characters are all highly-educated intellectuals, he is free to pepper the play with witty, esoteric references. However, the characters all have distinctive voices, which the actors ably assume for the entirety of the play's substantial running time. As Walker, Curry perfectly mimics the vocal inflections and body language of people with adult ADHD and anxiety disorders. This is crucial to the play's success, for while we see that Walker is highly intelligent, so are Nan and Pip, and we have to share in their opinion that he is more immature than malicious to sympathize with them for allowing him a place in their lives."
Splash Magazine- Recommended
"...Suffice it to say the plot development is truly ingenious- the audience is shown the truth, but the children are left in the dark. This is a fine play, well-directed and well-acted. Kudos to Patrick Ham, scenic designer, for a wonderfully squalid set, perfectly reminiscent of poor struggling artists and Jos N. Banks for terrific costume design, particularly the fabulous retro dress and shoes worn by Black-Spence as Lina."
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...The production seeks to find truth through the nuance of the actors' generationally repurposed emotions, repetitive reactions and nervous tics. As the audience learns by the end of this piece, perception and memory are powerful tools in determining truth, be it for personal or public cause."