Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...While this offbeat world-building is entertaining, I was left uncertain of why "Cat's Cradle" is being revived in 2023. Sure, there are prescient warnings about the dangers of scientific progress; one character says that everything scientists work on will end up being used as a weapon one day. And Ambassador Minton's speech critiquing the use of military martyrs as props for jingoistic patriotism still rings true, even if it's a point that has been made for decades now. However, while some individual themes are thought-provoking and the performances are fun, the whole package doesn't make up more than the sum of its parts."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...The magic of this show is that it makes what’s horrible hilarious and compelling. No matter how zany or outlandish their antics, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and deep inside, every one of these grifters and charlatans knows it. There’s nothing inherently funny or necessarily moving about nuclear annihilation or imperialism."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...This ensemble is marvelous:Johnard Washington as Bokanon AND Papa Manzano, Shelby Lynn Bias as iconic Mona, Shea Lee as Newt Hoenikker, Tony Bozutto as Jonah our protagonist– all give stellar and memorable performances. It is such a joy to experience this team run through their paces."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Whether or not theatergoers have read Kurt Vonnegut's novel they will absolutely enjoy and marvel at this production. The wide array of talent and sheer finesse found in this glorious stage version of "Cat's Cradle" is apparent, right from the first moment. Director Heather Currie should be very proud of her artistic accomplishment. She's revived John Hildreth's superb, articulate and coherent adaptation of this delightfully bizarre novel and brought the story to a new generation of theatergoers. Bravo to Lifeline Theatre!"
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...The amazing thing is that Hildreth’s adaptation, Currie’s staging, and Lindsay Mummert’s clever scenic design (aided ably by Aly Amidei’s costumes, Saskia Bakker’s props, Sarah Riffle’s lighting, and Stefanie Senior’s sound design) manage to make all of this perfectly understandable in a two-hour-long play. The cast clearly has a great time with both the silliness and the seriousness of the plot. (It may often be ridiculous, but the world does end during it.) So it goes."
MaraTapp.org - Highly Recommended
"...Lifeline Theatre’s wacky, laugh-out-loud adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s iconic novel captures its essence, navigating the supreme horrors and ironies of World War II as well as the fears and idiocies of the post-war era, a time when so many of us were unable to disconnect from the staggering reality of nuclear warfare."
Evanston Roundtable - Highly Recommended
"...Credit goes to the writer and the director as well. John Hildreth, who adapted Kurt Vonnegut's novel, exploits the comedy in the dialogue. Heather Currie deserves special recognition for her directing. It's hard to choreograph humor as effectively as she has."
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