Ethiopianamerica presented by Definition Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Theater - Biograph

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Gebremedhin, whom I’ve not seen before, is a real talent — honest, alive and filled with deadpan comic timing. In the protection of his mother (beautifully played by Gabrielle Lott-Rogers), Gebremedhin has to spar with the actor Joseph Primes, playing a complex patriarch. As with a lot of adult (or near-adult) children of alcoholics, Gebremedhin’s Johnathan has to navigate a mood that can change on a dime, warm-hearted games suddenly turned into personal attacks. And, like many teenagers, he has to grapple with the imperative to get away combined with the moral responsibility to one whom he knows will never leave). It is a very fine young performance in a superbly directed show."

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended

"...Director Sophiyaa Nayar, who believes that Kebede did an excellent job bringing together the American and Ethiopian experience, was excited to work with him. Raised in India, Nayar felt that the story touched home with him and will with other immigrants who have immigrated to the United States. Together Kebede and Nayar have open the doors to the world about how seeking the American dreams can bring about the same American nightmare that other Americans face. We are different but the same!"

Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...It is always a treat to bear witness to a new work by a young playwright. In some cases, it is evident that the writer came to a point where they were unsure as to how to end the story. While I enjoyed the storyline of Sam Kebede's "ETHIOPIANAMERICA", being presented by def-i-ni-tion Theatre Company, upstairs in the Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens, I became confused near the end of this sharply directed ( Sophiyaa Nayar) 90 minutes of theater"