God's Ear presented by Dog & Pony Theatre Company at The Viaduct

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Schwartz’s poetry never loses its human referent, and, therefore, you’re constantly struck by how much the language in the play reveals truths about your own relationship (along with subverting the cliches you probably unload on your spouse). The actions of the emotionally defeated couple in the play—here played in simple and determinedly unglamorous fashion by Luke Hatton and Faith Noelle Hurley —constantly seem to mirror what you think you’d do yourself in similarly terrible circumstances. And yet like all worthy poets, Schwartz also ennobles the simple human condition of parenting by expressing its travails with such eloquence."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Director Krissy Vanderwarker's able cast make many of Schwartz's aimless asides compelling, and Abraham Levitan’s faux-naive songs add charm to this Dog & Pony Theatre Company production. But all the indirection and irony does little to illuminate recognizable human psychology or emotions."

Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended

"...God's Ear does have its bursts of offbeat brilliance, especially when it revels in language loopholes like "beauty is in the eye of the beer holder," but the play's tendency to meander laundry list-style detracts from its overall effectiveness."

Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...The ensemble is resoundingly fine (D’Ercoli as a chatterbox would-be mistress excels), while the simple design contributions of Grant Sabin’s white-plinth-and-curtains set, Stephen Ptacek’s carefully integrated sound, the color drenching of Aaron Weissman’s lights and original music for Schwartz’s lyrics from Baby Teeth’s Abraham Levitan—sounds ranging from honky-tonk saloon piano to titillating glam rock—make this tart, oddball experience echo long after it’s over."

ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended

"...I’m not sure that this theatrical experiment works as a fantasy on grieving. Fans of Caryl Churchill and Richard Maxwell will enjoy this show. Those who love quite different stylized productions with rapid linguistic elements will find much to enjoy. Since I crave a more linear dramatic style, I found God’s Ear 95 minutes of tedium."