Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...It's a very interesting narrative, probing such issues as how to fight anti-Muslim sentiment with comedy, the pain of disappointing hardworking parents who sacrificed so much for you, and the complex relationship many immigrants, and the children of immigrants, come to have with American iconography such as, in this case, the New York Yankees. Anyone who grew up somewhere else will recognize the complexity of Ullah's feelings about being half-Bangladeshi and half-American, belonging fully to neither world."
Daily Herald
- Somewhat Recommended
"...But, at this point, the show feels like a series of thematically connected standup bits rather than a seamlessly unfolding narrative. Part of that problem rests with the sometimes stilted transitions between scenes. Ultimately, it needs refining, and would likely benefit from additional shaping by director Chay Yew, who has experience developing solo works having helmed Glenview native Brian Quijada's one-man show "Where Did We Sit on the Bus?" locally and off-Broadway."
Chicago Reader
- Recommended
"...As a solo performer, Ullah still seems to be looking for ways to make the transitions in his 90-minute show a bit smoother. One occasionally senses an imbalance in energy between the comedian looking to land the punch line and the storyteller who trusts the tale to work on its own terms. But the resonant musical accompaniment of tabla player Avirodh Sharma adds richness to the story, which gives us a snapshot of the remarkable people who raised Ullah. (His father, who was much older than his mother, died when Ullah was still young; his mother raised him and his older brother in the projects.)"
Stage and Cinema
- Highly Recommended
"...For about 90 continuous minutes at the Writers Theatre, Ullah escorts the audience on a memory trip through his life as a Muslim of Bangladesh ancestry growing up in in the United States, starting in Spanish Harlem in New York City and then shifting to southern California out west. It's quite a jaunt and viewers who may initially concerned that the show is a little esoteric should be won over in the first few minutes of the evening. Ullah has quite a life to talk about and his informal biographical narration is funny, informative, dramatic, and never dull."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow
- Recommended
"...Writer and performer Alaudin Ullah will have you sitting on the edge of your seat with this mesmerizing true-to-life story detailing his father's journey to America and his life-altering decision to defy what others believed. Ullah, a stand-up comedian whose family originated from Bangladesh, tells a riveting story about his difficulties while becoming a successful comedian."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...After the last 18 months PLUS, we are all desperately need of! laughter. Writer's Theatre in Glencoe is delivering! While we are used to regular book plays and musicals in Glencoe, they are bringing something just a little different to their stage. A one man ( or if you count the Musician/Composer/Arranger Avirodh Sharma- two) show about a comedian's life and his family history. "Dishwasher Dreams" , written by Alaudin Ullah, who also performs the entire 90 minutes of story telling, takes us back in time as his father left India ( the area that became Bangladesh) and arrived in New York's "Spanish Harlem"."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Recommended
"...In this humorous, heartfelt, 90-minute performance, sensitively directed by Chay Yew, and accompanied by musician Avirodh Sharma on Tabla percussion, Alaudin Ullah traces his fascinating journey from the bullied child of immigrant parents to a trailblazing star in the world of comedy. With a resume that sports critically acclaimed performances on HBO, MTV, BET, PBS and Comedy Central, as well as live appearances on stages across the country, Alaudin continues to share his exhilarating story. Set within a simple, but elegant scenic design by Yu Shibagaki and lit with artistry by Anshuman Bhatia, Ullah's one-man autobiographical play helps challenge and correct the misconception Americans have about South Asian and Muslim immigrants. At the same time, this talented comic actor offers an inspiring, often hilarious story of one man's family and their pursuit of the American Dream."
Third Coast Review
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Dishwasher Dreams is a beautiful story of the American Dream from the 1950s through the Millennium. Ullah's love for the Yankees and the grit of New York City are highlights. There is a lot to be learned from his story about immigrants in America being lumped together as an underclass with Black and Brown Americans. There is also truthful insight to their own racism under the guise of the ethnic pride of which everyone is guilty. Dishwasher Dreams is an enjoyable evening but I give the show 2.5 stars because there is room for some tweaks and polish in the performance,"
