Annapurna at Profiles Theatre - The Alley Stage

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Darrell W. Cox, the star of many a show these last two decades at the venerable Profiles Theatre, is the kind of Chicago actor who likes to take a deep dive into a character. Very deep. Cox has a talent for intensity and meticulous preparation that I've long admired. Hand him a wild and dysfunctional character like Ulysses, the wacky poet who is one half of Sharr White's two-hander "Annapurna," and he'll - well, it's pretty much evident what he will do from his first entrance into this long-lived storefront theater."

Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...There is something simultaneously deeply painful and strangely thrilling about watching two highly skilled actors try to breathe life into a hackneyed play. As Exhibit A, I point to Profiles Theatre's Midwest premiere of "Annapurna." Sharr White's two-hander, confidently directed by Eric Burgher, stars Darrell W. Cox and Lia D. Mortensen. And the two actors certainly "work it.""

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Sharr White's fine script treats both characters with spiky compassion and a rueful awareness of love's limitations. Unfortunately, a lot of the words get lost in Eric Burgher's staging, thanks to Profiles Theatre artistic director Darrell W. Cox, who gives Ulysses so many verbal idiosyncrasies-a wheeze, a rasp, a southern accent-that he's nearly impossible to understand. Lia D. Mortensen, on the other hand, is outstanding as the hurt and haunted Emma."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...Darrell W. Cox and Lia D. Mortensen, abetted by Eric Bugher's direction, take full advantage of their storefront auditorium's intimate environment, reveling in the hangdog charisma and manic-edged alacrity constituting their respective stock-in-trades, with an intensity riveting our attention for every second of the 70 minutes it takes to exorcise—well, sort of—the demons of guilt, flight and denial. Playwright White is also to be commended for not turning the poet's literary craft into a joke or a plot convenience—when we hear the first lines of Ulysses' magnum op, we get a glimpse of the man with whom Emma fell in love so long ago."

Chicagoist - Highly Recommended

"...Director Eric Burgher's instinctual, taut direction allows the actors to take the reigns in this character-driven play. And thanks to just the right amount of complexity and mineable emotion-which helps steer the play away from melodrama-Annapurna is a satisfying, fully wrought performance."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...In little more than an hour Sharr White pulls off a (one) act of forgiveness, reuniting estranged partners in a foul trailer in Paonia, Colorado. The unpromising setting, delivered in detail by set designer Katie-Bell Springmann, is a sty surrounded by dog shit where anything good has to fight against everything else. Pugilistically shaped by Eric Burgher, Profiles’ suitably sensational staging of Annapurna has its moments—but not quite enough to make this matter much."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...in the hands of two skilled actors, we see Mortensen’s eyes evoke that old spark that led to her marriage with the former cowboy-poet. We see Cox, while deeply into the destructive character that Ulysses have become, genuinely surprised to see his old flame. Emma has an agenda that leads her to encounter her ex after two decades. Gradually over the 85 minute one-act, we learn the how and the why that these two marrieds separated. The ravages of alcoholism and low self-esteem work to destroy the famed poet Ulysses while Emma attempts to be both a working literary agent and mother to their infant child."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended

"...To the credit of the talented team at Profiles Theatre, the production is overall taut and engaging. Though Darrell Cox perhaps overdoes the vocal symptoms of the emphysema that cripples Ulysses, at times verging on unintelligible, he also delivers a nuanced, detailed and immersive performance. He balances the physical and emotional wreck that Ulysses has become with just enough hints of the great writer he was (and possibly continued to be) to generate some empathy for his plight, even if only to wish that maybe he would get his will and his rescuers would stop throwing him lifelines. Lia Mortensen's Emma conveys the necessary outrage and horror at Ulysses' decrepitude and ability to disappoint. Mortensen finds both the steely determination to succeed and the self-destructive tendencies that have led to her character's self-imposed exile to the past. The two share a chemistry that is enthralling even when the script becomes frustrating and circuitous."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...When one attends a production at Profiles Theatre ( on any of its stages), one can anticipate stories that are “actor-driven”, which means theater that brings to the stage “emotionally truthful productions” ( as stated in their Mission Statement). Over the years, I would have to say , they have live dup to this mission bringing us world and local premieres as well as old classics that are seldom performed. On their Alley Stage, just a few doors down from their main stage, they are presenting the Midwest premier of Sharr White’s “Annapurna”, a 90 minute story about how the bond of a love can outlast the pain and suffering of more than 20 years."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...Two-handers can be difficult scripts because exposition from the past must emerge simultaneously with present events, and here this often happens so smoothly and swiftly that it surprises the audience. A play that’s character-driven is often even more challenging to stage. However, the artistic partnership between playwright Sharr White, director Eric Burgher and actors Darrell Cox and Lia Mortensen is not only collaborative, breathtakingly impressive and exquisite to behold. This tight, emotionally explosive production will reward summer audiences with an evening that speaks to their intellect, their emotions and touches the heart like few others."

Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended

"...Eric Burgher’ directing maximizes both the humor and the emotional explosiveness, though the two actors provide the really heavy lifting in what must be an enormously strenuous pair of roles, physically and mentally. I’ve seen Darrell Cox in a vast assortment of roles over the years and he never disappointed. But I’ve never watched him offer such a white-hot performance. Local audiences can thank their lucky theatrical stars that Cox didn’t take a hike to New York City or Hollywood years ago, where a career must have been available for a performer of his range and physical good looks."

Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended

"...Profiles is known for its intimate and powerful work, and Annapurna is no exception. White’s play is ideally suited for the company – it’s complex, thoughtful and relentless. Lovely direction, acting and production values (Jeffrey Levin’s original music deserves kudos as well) supplement outstanding source material. The result is a 90-minute play that packs a punch and lingers long after blackout."

Dueling Critics - Highly Recommended

"...Husband Ulysses, played with growling truth by Darrell Cox, is living in a revoltingly filthy mountain hut far from everything, barely bothering to get dressed. (Certificate of Profilian authenticity: we see Cox’s tush.) Urbane Wife Lia Mortensen (likewise utterly honest) arrives without notice in search of some resolution of their long-ago relationship. She arms herself with Lysol and the battle is joined. Any more description would ruin the delicately-wrought structure of Annapurna; suffice it to say the interactions are beautifully layered and the end is hopeful and life-affirming. I enjoyed it so much I almost felt guilty."