Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Invictus Theatre’s intimate, bare-bones modern-dress staging of Hamlet is storefront Shakespeare at its best. The company’s stated aim is to “promote a better understanding . . . of heightened language . . . to express the breadth of the human condition,” and this dynamic, clearly spoken non-Equity production delivers. Director Charles Askenaizer guides the ensemble and the audience together on a shared journey through the play’s grim narrative, illuminating its philosophical, spiritual, and political themes and its darkly ironic humor as well as its suspenseful plot."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...There are not enough words in the English language to describe Charles Askenaizer in his role as the prince of Denmark and as director of the production. So I'll say in it Danish: Vidunderlig, which means wonderful and extraordinary at the same time! Askenaizer's quality and depth of acting are the essence of theatre artistry. His manner is beguiling and perfectly timed; his intensity superb. His facial expressions and body language oscillate with his display of wide-ranging emotions as he plays an illusorily mad character who is rational, cunning, and unpredictable to all, even to his closest friend Horatio. Askenaizer also enthralls us in his role as director, having made this highly action-oriented show easily watchable-this despite having a very small stage to work with in this renovated storefront theater. By innovatively using multiple doorways and by deftly shifting the actors around from one location to another, he has created the illusion of space."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...There was something sweet in the chemistry between Laertes (Michael Lewis, excellent recently in "A Raisin In The Sun) and Ophelia (Ebby Offord). Certain scenes stood out for me and this was one of them. This begins their character arc and we are fully invested in them, though Lewis should take care not to let the background music overtake his melodic voice. And Offord if this is your debut, you have a bright future."
Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended
"...Hamlet is all about the language. It’s thrilling to hear Shakespeare’s tragic tale spoken by a talented and well-directed team of actors. Invictus Theatre’s modern-dress production of the Bard’s 1601 script succeeds in making the language clear and forceful, with careful direction by Charles Askenaizer, who also stars as Hamlet. His performance is superb—emotional and nuanced in all the right places, sometimes fierce, sometimes manic or grief-stricken."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...The Invictus Theatre Company’s intense, intimate Hamlet is brave and a little crazy, but, in the end, what makes it work is its humanity."
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...Director and playing the titular character, Charles Askenaizer, takes on us on a journey with his Hamlet through many, many different emotions. In his soliloquies, the lighting changes to a single floor spot up-lighting such that his face is reminiscent of holding a flashlight under one’s chin at the campfire as you’re telling ghost stories. It feels like we’re going into the deep, dark depths of his mind."
Splash Magazine - Recommended
"...Overall, this a solid production and the performances of the aforementioned actors make this iteration
of Hamlet engaging to even the casual theatre goer."
