Between Riverside and Crazy at Redtwist Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...The cast is strong, but the women in particular are limited by the script. Almanya Narula, who plays Junior's girlfriend Lulu, leans too hard into ditzy and scatterbrained, bumbling around the apartment in revealing clothes and forgotten responsibilities. Though this dated portrayal feels decades old, the guilt and shame internalized by POC cops is palpable—especially in a world where they can still be shot without consequence."

Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended

"...But the key character in this crazy gallery is the Church Lady, who seems to be from Brazil and weeds herself in national green and yellow (kudos to costumer Uriel Gomez). Actually, she's a substitute church lady. Pops' regular social caller is sick, or something, and so this stranger shows up in her place. Gabrielle Lott-Rogers is a delight, surely the most sensual Church Lady ever to serve a holy purpose. Pops offers her cookies, and she reciprocates. Funny, all this time Pops thought the shooting had left him impotent."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Redtwist Theatre is one of my favorite storefront theaters. Located on Bryn Mawr, just one block East of the Red Line "L" stop, this tiny theater has been bringing us solid theater since 2003, and I for one appreciate the work they do. They are currently producing "Between Riverside and Crazy" written by Stephen Adly Guirgis,, who many will recall as the playwright of " Jesus Hopped The A Train". If you liked that one, you are sure to get into this as well."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...Early on in the show, you realize Pops is fighting the wrong battles. Even if he beats the city and his landlord and everyone else, it won't fix what's really wrong. The outcome of these battles aren't what will make him happy; it's only that the fighting is successfully distracting him from the fact he's not. Anchored by a growling but ultimately sympathetic performance by its lead, waiting to see if Pops realizes all of that makes for a hell of a show. Between Riverside and Crazy is another great play by a theater from which I have come to expect little else."

Picture This Post - Highly Recommended

"...This production of Between Riverside and Crazy shines particularly in the rich characters that the entire ensemble creates, at least to this humble viewer. Adam Bitterman's stoic and distinctive New York Police Lieutenant sets the world of the play almost more than the carefully detailed set does, immediately ending any question of where the audience is as soon as he enters. His extended and passionate rant over the failings of Rudy Giuliani is particularly guffaw-inducing, especially considering his current position in politics. Gabrielle Lott-Rogers single-handedly changes the entire course of the play with her Brazilian Church Lady."

NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Guirgis presents a complex world within the walls of Pops' rent-controlled apartment, one that never feels claustrophobic or contrived, built on the strength of the characters and their poetically authentic way of speaking. Redtwist's ensemble brings the story to life with painful, beautiful truth."