Black and Blue at Raven Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...It's fun to see Caldwell and Tournis tag-team on taking down various posers and fair-weather fans who wander into the bar over the years. (If you're a baseball trivia buff, this show will probably hold more appeal.) And Zach Bloomfield and Johnny Moran as resident barflies Milt and Mickey add an often-amusing Greek chorus kibitz-fest, a la Cliff and Norm in "Cheers." For sure, this show is less frenetic in pace than other Factory-made offerings (though just as shouty)."

ShowBizChicago - Recommended

"...Black and Blue is not short on laughs or fine acting. Tournis and Caldwell play the part of sibling rivals as convincingly as they do bickering baseball fans and the two are extremely enjoyable to watch for most of the play. Bar regulars Milt and Mickey (Zach Bloomfield and Johnny Moran) along with an ensemble of other booze hounds and baseballs fans all have a fair share of laugh-out-load moments."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...If all the sports cliches and silly arguments were the essence of Jake and Tommy's life, they sure needed to expand their interests. Only a committed baseball fan could care about these guys. What irritated me most was the long series of games year by year that droned on producing the constant argument who is better - the Cubs or the White Sox. Who care? 90 minutes of screaming and the razor-thin script made for a long show. Since I never go to sports bars because they are filled ignorant, loud-mouthed working class stiffs who down beers and get so emotional about a game, I can't relate to Black and Blue. Add the over-the-top too-loud performances and this show was torture. I was especially repulsed by the much too emotional (and loud) performance by Anthony Tournis as Jake. Only a true beer-drinking sports fanatic could enjoy this crude show but those guys are too busy drinking beer in some neighborhood bar to ever attend theatre. Sports fans can get a dose of the screaming and arguing in any sports bar and get a beer to boot so this imitation is superfluous. Maybe if the toned down the noise a lot, we could enjoy this show- maybe."