Chicago Tribune - Not Recommended
"...For a play supposedly concerned with the veracity of a man, there sure is a lot that does not ring true in "American Myth," the real clunker and schematic snoozer of a spring show from American Blues Theater, which otherwise has been having an excellent season."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Christina Gorman's barely plausible play overworks exhausted tropes about the intersection of facts, history, and truth. In his program note, director Steve Scott calls this schematic play "magnificent," so I'll call his uninventive staging "visionary.""
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"...Lacking a strong core or clear motivations, the characters (and talented cast) lurch and sputter, coming across as either self-serving or clueless. Weber in particular never demonstrates the kind of charisma one would expect from a professor regarded as “the Indiana Jones of American History.” “American Myth” is at once too ambitious and not ambitious enough, and the result is somewhat curious, intermittently interesting, and overall a bit sad, rather like a dull academic who embellishes his life."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...The only trouble is, the career- and life-ruining stakes the play seems to be built on don’t actually feel all that career- and life-ruining. Yes, in today’s controversy-saturated society the smallest public misstep can result in utter catastrophe, but the exaggerations Graham is accused of here, feel like just that—exaggerations. The truth that Brodess’s weasely journalist is on the hunt for never feels like the scoop it’s made out to be, particularly when his subject was once his hero. Most would likely need a more explosive injustice to make throwing one’s mentor under the bus seem plausible. Had the situation and performance felt more authentic, the already intriguing moral questions the production raises could have matured to fully absorbing."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...What’s unequivocal is the sterling acting that Scott characteristically inspires from five shining thespians. Brodess’ disaffected disciple seethes with injured innocence and idealism–but is he also pursuing a dubious push for notoriety? Graeff delivers a wife caught and confused by her husband’s complexity. Likewise Hamilton’s anguished friend. Key’s sensation-seeking editor functions smoothly and sinisterly as Peter’s bad angel."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Steve Scott’s production is terrifically acted especially by newbie to Chicago Peter Finnerty with a nice turn by Cheryl Graeff and Steve Key. But Mick Weber anchors the play with his contradictory portrayal of the beloved professor. Christina Gorman’s smart writing that displays much historical research with the yeoman work by the entire cast makes this a “must see’ theatrical event. Kudos to American Blues Theatre for a thought-provoking play."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...American Blues Theater ( better known as ABT), in its “Legends and Legacies” season is now presenting the world premiere of Christina Gorman’s “American Myth” exploring what happens when a beloved college professor/author is exposed by a former student as a liar and a fraud. Gorman further explores the difference between personal and professional ethics in this finely directed ( Steve Scott uses the small stage in the Studio at The Greenhouse Theater Center to perfection) two act play. I will say that , at least for me, this play could be stringer if it were trimmed a bit and ran without an intermission, say 90-100 minutes."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...AMERICAN MYTH was riveting. Although it may be too history-heavy for some, I found Mick Weber’s classroom teachings fascinating. I would definitely sign up for his class. This play continues to make me wonder about the interpretation of history from a personal perspective. What should we believe? What should we question? What is the American Myth?"
