A Lesson Before Dying at Lincoln Square Theater

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...The ensemble behind “A Lesson Before Dying” lacked very little, the main complication being the southern dialects.  Some actors had a difficult time controlling their grammar and holding their accent through the entire performance.  But it wasn’t so bad it became a major annoyance.  The over-all performance was enjoyable, just lacked that extra push to make you sit in awe.  Ernest J. Gaines’ novel is one of my personal favorites and after reading more than once, I can appreciate the effort put in by Lincoln Square Theater. "

Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended

"...At the beginning, both Hamilton and Bennett’s play their characters too tight and shut down to allow for much emotional play. But both actors blossom into their roles organically—evincing profound, confrontational and revelatory moments the closer Jefferson comes to his day of execution. Flanked by the manipulative Sheriff Guidry (Ed Schultz) and the sympathetic Deputy Paul Bonin (Jereme Rhodes), Jefferson’s ability to recover himself and face his undeserved death becomes more about the transformation of a community than just his personal ordeal. Lincoln Square Theatre renders a poignant and profound drama on the value of human life that is more than worth the effort to seek it out."