Twisted Melodies presented by Congo Square Theatre at Athenaeum Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...I'd also say that the show needs more work; it tends to get into some repetitive textual riffs, mostly along the lines of "the music saves me," which is an overused trope in shows like this, albeit also a truth. The show's main thesis, that schizophrenia is what made Hathaway's music great even as it robbed him of his sanity and his life and the affection of many of his fans and collaborators, is articulated too late in the show to really serve the structure of the piece. And if a commercial producer were to walk through the door, they'd surely tell Roston to dwell longer on Hathaway's brighter days, to sing more of his upbeat songs, to show us more of the times before the voices start to howl inside his skull."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Rolston's sometimes frighteningly intense performance is supported by the work of sound designer Rick Sims, video producer Dre Robinson, and projections designer Paul Deziel, who evoke the sometimes beautiful but mostly chaotic visual and auditory hallucinations that disrupted Hathaway from his ability to create beautiful music. Congo Square Theatre's production, directed by Samuel G. Roberson Jr., is a powerful and sometimes painful examination of the tragedy of mental illness as well as a worthy tribute to an iconic artist."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...This world premiere hopes to bring attention to issues of mental health, and to dispel the social taint still far too often associated with emotional illnesses. Instead of being about mental health, however, it's a one-man portrait of Hathaway as patient and victim of an insidious illness. It's written and performed by musical-theater veteran Kelvin Roston Jr., and one couldn't find a more outstanding actor and singer to channel Donny Hathaway. Roston more than has the musical and dramatic chops to ignite Hathaway's musical hits and suggest his difficult personality. He's assisted by a wonderful multi-media production pulled off in a tiny, tiny theatre ( lighting, scenery, projections, video and dance by Richard Norwood, Andrei Onegin, Paul Deziel, Dre Robinson and esteemed choreographer Joel Hall ). It's rich, complex, beautiful."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...Besides being an excellent singer and pianist, Roston is totally convincing as Hathaway. He has help from the design team, including video producer Dre Robinson and choreographer Joel Hall, and scenic designer Andrei Onegin, who built a claustrophobic environment where the walls really do close in. Hathaway complains about being unable to keep time and space coherent, and the projections force us to experience his point of view."