And A Child Shall Lead Reviews

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Both Tom Arvetis and his cast largely avoid melodramatic traps, and Slade’s script pointedly avoids suggesting that the survival of the art in any way compensates for the genocidal murder of the artists."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...Tom Arvetis directs this beautiful, inspiring story with intelligence and sensitivity. Each character, played by a talented ensemble of young actors, touches our hearts while teaching us about courage and integrity under unspeakable circumstances. Arvetis represents each child, as well as thousands of other unseen victims, with multitudes of suitcases. Stacked ever higher, they form walls around the stage symbolizing the Gestapo's tightening grip on the children's lives. Unique lighting, sound and an unobtrusive musical score represent the unseen adults whose presence is constantly felt. One of the most deeply moving dramas of the season, Slade's play should not be missed."

Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended

"...What endures from Terezin is the artwork and the bits of their newspaper. Death comes for nearly every character in the play–certainly, 15,000 children died in the actual ghetto. The production displays artwork copied from the artwork produced by the children of Terezin. Every poem recited is poetry that survived this awful place. While Slade’s play could benefit from a small amount of editing, no one can deny the emotional impact of his clear, simple and forthright work. It touches the primal core in us all and Michael Slade places our need for human dignity at the very center of childlike self-expression."