Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...?Hymn? is centered on father, brothers, and friends, on trust and guilt, on despair and hope. Whoever we are, we all deal with that stuff and not only is this a show about finally finding someone who has your back, you surely will feel like this lovable show has your back, too."
Chicago Sun Times
- Highly Recommended
"..."Hymn," about two Black men in their early 50s discovering newfound brotherly love, is a modest two-person work that, in this outstanding, highly localized Chicago Shakespeare production, punches way above its weight."
Talkin Broadway
- Recommended
"...Chicago Shakespeare Theater is presenting the world premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn. Ron OJ Parson directs what is a slightly uneven but ultimately thought-provoking, emotionally resonant two-hander featuring two outstanding performances."
Stage and Cinema
- Highly Recommended
"...It's not unusual to hear creatives, especially Black creatives, quote Toni Morrison when talking about what inspires them to write, paint or compose. "If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." That notion seems to have been in play when Lolita Chakrabarti wrote Hymn in 2021, a ravishing portrayal of Black male bonding, camaraderie and love now playing on Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Courtyard Stage to swooning audiences."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Highly Recommended
"...Lolita Chakrabati's thoughtful and tragic Chicago reimagining of Hymn now on (short) view at Chicago Shakespeare is a moving two-hander that frames friendship and family with mortality. It is a not to be missed show. I am fascinated that a Brit can allude to so much Chicago and make the show feel so inherently local!"
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
- Highly Recommended
"...Playwright Lolita Chakrabarti draws inspiration from the men in her life to write Hymn, exploring the intricate dynamics of their relationships. She aims to narrate a poignant story of developing love between two brothers, illuminating their insecurities and vulnerabilities. It's a heartfelt portrayal of a unique bond, capturing the essence of a genuine sibling relationship filled with joy, understanding, and unwavering support."
Buzz Center Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...Stories that explore the emotional lives of men?especially Black men?are still far too rare on the American stage. Outside the monumental works of August Wilson, narratives that center male vulnerability, intimacy, and connection remain the exception. Lolita Chakrabarti?s Hymn, now playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, is a welcome and moving addition to that limited canon."
The Fourth Walsh
- Highly Recommended
"...HYMN is playful and poignant! Chakrabarti and Parson keep it upbeat and ever-moving. And these actors make it their own! Johnson and Meredith beautifully transform together and individually to a surprising crescendo followed by a tender, familia refrain. This HYMN is a one-of-a-kind opus!"
PicksInSix
- Highly Recommended
"..."Hymn" is a powerful example of what Chakrabarti calls "a universal story of finding commonality and love" even as it reaches out with music to build a bridge of trust and brotherly love. The influential women in these men's lives, though unseen, radiate an extraordinary level of love and support which comes through brilliantly in the rich text and Parson's crisp, compelling production."
MaraTapp.org
- Highly Recommended
"...Playwright Lolita Chakrabarti relocated Hymn to the South side of Chicago after its successful London world premiere, and that part of our city offers a believable home for this love song to the power of brotherly bonds and Black male friendship. The characters and settings were familiar to me and will be to anyone who's from or has visited friends on Chicago's South Side. The friend who accompanied me found herself particularly moved as a Black woman. Yet those details, and the top-notch actors, made this specific location both unique and universal. No doubt that is thanks to Ron OJ Parson's hallmark spot-on and sensitive directing, and the talents of his cast."
Chicago Culture Authority
- Highly Recommended
"...In other words, the play packs a lot into its intermissionless 100-minute run time, but it never feels overstuffed. In fact, I wish I'd had even more time with these brothers and this deeply affecting play."
Splash Magazine
- Highly Recommended
"...In the poignant production of ?Hymn,? playwright Lolita Chakrabarti crafts a deeply moving narrative, expertly brought to life under the direction of the acclaimed Ron OJ Parson. Starring the talented duo Chik? Johnson and James Vincent Meredith, this production delves into themes of identity, longing, and the universal quest for paternal love and acceptance."
Allie and the After Party
- Recommended
"...Sometimes family can come from the most unexpected of places. For two men in Hymn, when they find out they share the same father, they form a friendship filled with fun and support. We watch it grow and share their joy and good times along with the tough ones set against the backdrop of Chicago."
BroadwayWorld
- Somewhat Recommended
"...But as delightful as it is to watch these characters interact and learn from one another, the lack of any sustained conflict causes the play's middle sections to sag, and the show becomes more focused on entertaining audiences with the greatest hip-hop hits of the 80s and 90s as Gil and Benny prepare for a night out on the town. These scenes feel like the lowest common denominator of entertainment, relying on pop culture and nostalgia rather than meaningful character or dramatic development. So audiences could be forgiven if they arrive at the play's climax with a sense of whiplash and disorientation."
NewCity Chicago
- Recommended
"...The play's take on male vulnerability is refreshing. While works featuring hard-nosed, patriarchal figures humbled by life lessons are not uncommon-playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' recent Steppenwolf play, "Purpose," is one example-"Hymn," like life, does not promise you a happy ending. Instead, it presents a warning to those who feel the need to always be in control, avoid feelings of weakness and think they must conquer their fears alone. But no one is truly alone, and this reminder is the most valuable takeaway from the play."
