Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The strengths of the piece — which is generally well acted, especially by the dark-toned Mays and the gutsy Kristen Magee, who plays Je' T Aime — revolve around its ability to conjure up a Coen Brothers-like atmosphere. The play has its foot in what I always like to call Midwestern gothic and the director, Dieterich Gray, certainly takes his time and uses his craft to establish a potent atmosphere. With the Storefront set up in ideal immersive configuration, the dead-letter office becomes quite the spectacle in the second act."
Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Dog & Pony Theater Company's production values are high, but they don't mask the shortcomings of this psychological mystery by Philip Dawkins."
Windy City Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Dog & Pony Theatre Company's production of Philip Dawkins' Dead Letter Office is like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces are there for a good solid drama with appropriate whimsy, but they're not fitted into the right places just yet."
Time Out Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...
the tone of Dog & Pony’s production seems fatally at odds with the spirit of the script. From the opening, presenting Christian’s monotonous routine as a piece of meticulous physical theater, to the second act’s tearful revelations, Gray and company play everything with a determined, earnest commitment. The result is something like an Annoyance show as staged by Steppenwolf. Never letting us know how seriously Dead Letter Office is meant, the production ends up feeling simply contrived, like an off-kilter sitcom."
ChicagoCritic
- Recommended
"...I’d advise Dawkins and Gray to tighten up the early parts with either action or the hint of an underlying problem so we will be patient with the shows slow development. The subtle move from realism to surreal needs to have a stronger foundation. The atmosphere developed by Anderson’s terrific set and the performance of Mays worked. Despite the plays flaws, I was taken by the pain and inability of the these tarnished characters to communicate or cope with their demons. The Sam Shepard-styled personal angst was powerfully depicted. The imminent destruction of their world is vividly presented. I liked this play."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Somewhat Recommended
"...by play’s end there are way too many unsought disclosures—and, worse, they come out of nowhere. Surprises, alas, can’t shock when we’re not prepared for them. Too often “Dead Letter Office” plays, despite Krissy Vanderwarker’s expert staging, as if it’s making itself up as it goes along. Dawkins even adds an avenging ghost in the final catastrophe who seems to be stalking Christian and, in the process, destroying this dump for reasons we can only guess at (assuming you care enough after two hours of false leads and inconclusive revelations)."
Chicago Theater Beat
- Not Recommended
"...Hopefully, director Dieterich Gray and Dog & Pony will learn from this experience. They have heart and talent, obviously. Even when fertilized with such a great idea, without a healthy base of character and story, any commissioned piece is going to grow stunted and wilted. Perhaps one should allow Dead Letter Office be a growing pain, and leave it at that."
