Amarillo at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Director Jorge A. Vargas' 70-minute, ensemble-driven piece - which long predates the current presidential administration and all of the intensified talk of walled borders - manages to do two things that most works of company-devised theater are not able simultaneously to achieve. One is to magnify and explicate (through video, testimony, music and collage and a physical environment created by Jesus Hernandez) the journey of the economic refugee, namely from Mexico to the United States: to show the details of the traverse, the risks of the passage, the passion and fortitude behind the traveler's dreams. The other is to distill what is really going on here, the roots thereof never really being discussed."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...A remarkable piece of theater, “Amarillo” is a scorching commentary that moves far beyond any of the political cant that attaches itself to this subject."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...We are blessed! That is what I would have to call the program that Chicago is involved in as part of the inaugural Chicago International Latino Theater Festival- Destinos.In addition to the plays, fully cast and solo performances, we are also seeing what I would have to call "performance Art" and what is now on the stage (let me say, the NEW stage) at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, "Amarillo" , is an incredible work of art. Unlike many performance art pieces, "Amarillo's story is one that is of great importance in today's world."

Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended

"...The Yard in its “Amarillo” configuration isn’t particularly exciting, with its absence of scenery except for a few props. We await a production that trots out more of the The Yard’s technical capabilities. That production showcase may come starting April 25 when The Yard will be the site of a revival of “Macbeth” with an emphasis on the tragedy’s supernatural elements. That suggests wondrous special effects under the supervision of Aaron Posner and Teller (of the famous magic team of Penn and Teller)."