Treasure Island Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Recommended
"...This is unusually traditional territory for Zimmerman, whose adaptive career to date has mostly consisted of dramatizing works that have not previously been wrought for the theater. I've always, and still, think of that as her great strength. But titles like "The Jungle Book" and "Treasure Island" certainly offer more box-office potential and the chance for more licensed productions. Each time I see her adapt one, though, I feel nostalgia for the days when she would bring to dramatic life to the strange and unfamiliar, even though those stories from other cultures are riskier now, when accusations of cultural appropriation are common."
Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended
"...With its gloriously full-sail world premiere production of “Treasure Island,” Lookingglass Theatre has headed out to sea again, riding with abandon on the formidable current generated by its extraordinary staging of “Moby Dick.” Clearly there is something about a shipboard yarn — especially one propelled by a sense of adventure, obsession and moral complexity — that brings out the very best in this company."
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
"...What makes Zimmerman's version remarkable is what she doesn't do in it. She doesn't tart it up with special effects, lots of dramatic music, or the sounds of the crashing waves on the high seas. She doesn't try to make it more exciting than it is. Nor does she give us a cast of the usual cliched pirates, lifted from Disney World or any of the myriad variations of Peter Pan floating around."
Windy City Times- Recommended
"...Fortunately, the urban landscape surrounding the Water Works offers plenty of opportunities to purchase a copy of the book or to smartphone-search the Wiki to ensure arriving sufficiently versed in the story's sequence of events to permit unencumbered enjoyment of a hearty ensemble led by 14-year-old John Babbo ( whose string of credits already surpasses those of actors thrice his age ) as the young Jim Harkins and Lawrence E. DiStasi as a commendably cliche-free John Silver, who lead us through two-and-a-half hours of thrilling adventures guaranteed to send us home braying "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum" with appropriate Jolly-Jack-Tar swagger."
Time Out Chicago- Recommended
"...There are a few physical tricks up the show's sleeve (those prone to seasickness best stay off of Todd Rosenthal's stage), but what little actual swordplay or physical tussling is present comes across as tentative and clunky (no fight choreographer is credited) and the storytelling is surprisingly rote. There's nothing really wrong with this version of Treasure Island; there's just nothing very thrilling about it, either."
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
"...Prepare to buckle your swashes, shiver your timbers and avoid Davey Jones’ locker. In a co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company sets sail on a major maiden voyage–Mary Zimmerman’s world premiere journey to Treasure Island. Robert Louis Stevenson’s children’s classic remains a rip-snorting epic of tattooed pirates, buried doubloons, delayed revenge, talking parrots, skeletons in trees, the curse of the “Black Spot,” and a battle of blades and bullets in an island stockade. Naturally, it’s grist for Zimmerman’s merry mill. In the Waterworks theater the swaying deck of a fully-rigged schooner is all the passport to adventure an audience could desire."
ChicagoCritic- Highly Recommended
"...The amorphous legal difference between piracy and privateering and the legalistic atrocities of the British government in the eighteenth century are, after all, part of what won pirates in this era a pleasant spot in the popular imagination. In any case, Treasure Island survives in the hearts of many generations, not just because of its plot, but the bond readers share with its characters. This version is no different, and is an excellent opportunity for new and younger theatre-goers to get caught up in a story."
Chicago Stage and Screen- Recommended
"...With the world premiere of Tony award winner Mary Zimmerman’s new adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel Treasure Island, Lookingglass Theatre attempts to bring the novel’s adventure on the high seas to life. A colorful cast of pirates and some lovely instrumentalists spearheaded by a strong performance by John Babbo as Jim Hawkins strive to pull the audience into this classic children’s tale. The problem is that the children in the audience, or at least those within my eyesight, didn’t seem to be enjoying what was happening on stage. I have an idea why."
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...The "Treasure Island" that I remember reading, and admittedly it was a long time ago, had long boring prosy passages between the tiny bits of adventure. Mary Zimmerman has omitted all of the prosy, boring bits in her epic adaptation of "Treasure Island" for Lookingglass Theatre. Although adults will definitely enjoy this swashbuckling classic, it's way too scary for the smaller set."
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
"...With a whiff of gunpowder and testosterone filling the salty air, Mary Zimmerman’s imaginative, magical new adaptation is solidly directed here with creativity and assurance. Supported by a terrific team of artistic collaborators, Ms. Zimmerman’s brisk, bouncy, buoyant ballad of buccaneers and booty makes for an exciting, not-to-be-missed coming-of-age tale about a brave young cabin boy with an exciting story to share."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews- Highly Recommended
"...“Treasure Island” runs an extended 2½ hours including one intermission. That might be a bit lengthy for a young viewer. But all the colorful characters, the exciting action, and a young peer as the hero of the story should entice young adult viewers. Adult spectators will have no problems enjoying the swashbuckling story and the theatrical and dramatic flourishes that energize this classic tale on the living stage. Zimmerman trusts the story to carry the viewing experience and wisely avoids distracting directorial concepts, instead serving as an imaginative caretaker. That’s plenty good enough."
The Fourth Walsh- Highly Recommended
"...It feels every bit a return to the classic of my childhood. And Zimmerman keeps pretty true to the book. And because of that, the adventure itself gets bogged down in complications. This may be a challenge for younger audience members. And the time for a parental tutorial is not during the show. At my performance, I heard a father in ongoing dialogue with his son... maybe 5 years old... about what was going on in the play. He was in the front row. I was in the back row and on the other side of the theatre. Yes, it's nice to help kids comprehend but this isn't a living room. Please respect the performers and other audience members and have learning moments during intermission or at home."