Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune Reviews

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Frankie, the waitress, is a feisty, defensive cynic who bears the psychic and physical scars of a troubled childhood and an abusive prior affair; Johnny is pushy, needy, and determined to turn this one-night stand into a long-term relationship despite Frankie's resistance. Under Jacob Christopher Green's direction, actors Patricia Savieo and Dennis Frymire skillfully negotiate the emotional ebb and flow of this wonderfully written, gritty, yet unabashedly romantic play."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"... Frankie and Johnny exposes its actors both physically and emotionally, and Savieo and Frymire seem undaunted as they play out a mix of passion and confession. As working-class heroes, they’re a lot more convincing than Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer, who played the duo in a 1991 film version. Frymire’s regular-guy demeanor doesn’t crack quite enough to make Johnny the singular and charismatic person he needs to be, if we’re to believe that Frankie puts up with his weird, intransigent ardor without calling the cops. But both actors convey the unsettling needs and wayward histories behind their characters’ feints and parries; their sensitive, heartfelt portraits form the core of this satisfying revival."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Not Recommended

"...One of the first things I ever learned about theatre was to capture the audience by making them believe that you truly are the character you have set out to become.  Make the dialogue and body movement your own, not something a director tells you to do.  Unfortunately this was a major problem with this production, these actors were not awe-aspiring at all.  In my opinion everything was forced, nothing seemed natural with the actors playing Frankie and Johnny.  Even the simplest of actions like laughter or saying something goofy seemed completely linear, very one-dimensional.  In the simplest of sayings, I was very aware I was watching a play."

Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended

"...Frankie and Johnny is about finding magic in a very un-fairy tale world. Green, Frymire, and Savieo all find it, and they present it to us on a platter. The last few moments, which feature Johnny and Frankie watching the sun rise on another day in the city, are pure joy. Out of incredibly everyday people and emotions, Hubris is able to whip up romance."