Beneath the Willow Tree Reviews

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...You can tell, as this story of pain, revelation, and personal growth unfolds, that it emerged from a crucible of personal pain and self-discovery. That is both the show’s greatest strength and its weakness. Powerful emotions pulse beneath the surface of the play, but the play still has that overwritten feeling of a word-heavy rough draft. At three hours in length, the play runs too long—much of the dialogue could be trimmed and scenes make their point long before they end. There is nothing wrong with Elizabeth’s storytelling—or the overall structure of her play—that just a little judicial trimming would not improve."

Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended

"...The production is, without question, successful across the board. The play itself, a commissioned work and the first original that Pulse has produced, is compelling and filled with brilliant, rewarding moments that are occasionally lost in a curiously backloaded and somewhat overlong work."

Buzz Center Stage - Highly Recommended

"...Overall, Beneath The Willow Tree is a powerful debut from Isis Elizabeth. With Boseman's sensitive direction and a cast that brings the Bordeaux family to life with authenticity and passion, the play delivers a potent mix of raw emotion, spiritual reflection, and the hard-earned path toward healing. A must-see for those who appreciate deeply human stories with cultural resonance."