Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Just as Irish novelist Flann O'Brien out-Joyced James Joyce with his mind-bending masterwork "At Swim-Two-Birds," Irish playwright Arthur Riordan takes the sort of too-true-to-be-real story that is catnip to Tom Stoppard and proceeds to fold, spindle, and verbally mutilate it into a high-spirited - if occasionally aggravating - pastiche in "Improbable Frequency," now in its local premiere with Strawdog Theatre Company."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Director Kyle Hamman has fun with the script's caricatures and complicated casting requirements. Michael Dailey's Faraday is supported by a five-actor ensemble who tackle multiple-and sometimes overlapping-roles. Burly Scott Danielson transforms from an IRA radical to Myles na gCopaleen onstage, barely hidden by the furniture he's just helped move, and antic Jason Grimm tackles shrill English and Irish stereotypes as Betjeman and the radio announcer. Eric Paskey turns Schrodinger into a wacky mad scientist, complete with gray Einstein wig, and then tightens his sphincter to play Faraday's MI5 boss. Soprano Sarah Goeden and belter Christina Hall are the women in Faraday's life: innocent Philomena O'Shea and predatory Agent Green, respectively."
Centerstage - Recommended
"...Improbable Frequency, the Irish musical currently receiving its Midwest premiere at Strawdog Theatre Company, is in many ways improbably entertaining. It traffics in a kind of chintzy, music hall punnery that should really fall flat on its face. But instead, the show pulls off a fancy, showboating somersault and ends up on its feet again."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...A four-piece band plays folksy Irish tunes that are spoken as much as sung, putting Riordan’s quick wordplay on display. Romance blossoms and secret plots are put in motion, yet when Schrödinger’s probability machine comes into play, the show gets lost in the chaos. The implausibility of the plot might be the point, but too many random elements diminish the impact."
Chicago Theatre Addict - Somewhat Recommended
"...Truthfully, I have a pretty low tolerance for off-the-hook zany - if it's not grounded by some human-scale, or at least, compelling, storyline - and at two hours and two acts, Riordan's punny script and lyrics, which give off an "aren't we so clever?" vibe, could use a trim-down. Strawdog's production, directed by Kyle Hamman, tears into the lunacy with abandon, offering up mugging and running about from start to finish, practically demanding you pay attention. And, despite a game cast giving it their all (and looking like they're having a ball doing so), it's exhausting."
Stage and Cinema - Not Recommended
"...A poor man's Gilbert and Sullivan, the raucous music-hall score created by Bell Helicopter relentlessly delivers one jaunty trifle after another, none so touching as Philomena's lilting love song at the top of Act 2 - beautiful blarney sweetly sung by Goeden. The preposterous plot almost excuses these inane, non-stop musical numbers. But Hamman's heavy-handed, painfully unsubtle, local premiere makes Riordan's compulsive wordplay even more tedious and obvious, if possible. Given bombastic stereotypes and thudding sight gags, the best tactic here would be to turn a sledgehammer into a scalpel. But, as if to kill vaudeville yet again, Improbable Frequency is an onslaught of slam-bang wretched overkill that puts the hangover before the buzz."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Strawdog company member Michael Dailey takes the lead as Tristam Faraday. Not much of a singer, Dailey's quiet voice sometimes gets lost amid the orchestrations. Still, he nails Faraday's piquant idiosyncrasies even as he serves to anchor this madcap production in something a little more grounded. Jason Grimm-as both John Betjeman and Meehawl O'Dromedary-exhibits pitch-perfect comedic timing, bounding hither and thither across the stage with almost frenetic energy. Truth be told, Grimm's performance alone might be worth the price of admission. Not that the other cast members are found wanting. Improbably Frequency benefits immensely from this troupe of prodigiously talented character-actors, all of whom demonstrate incredible comic versatility. And Kyle Hamman's direction succeeds in giving this productionits due zaniness while at the same time letting its verbal acrobatics come to the fore."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...Now, I love all things Irish. I also love getting punny. IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY is a lot to love. The farce is like “Pink Panther” as read by Dr. Seuss. The dialogue is silly and droll. The execution is brilliant and inane. At first, I had trouble relaxing into the rhythm of it. It takes a certain amount of letting go of the practical and embracing the illogical. By the second act, I was tuned into this goofy station. IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY has a lot to say if you listen carefully."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...The production people have outdine themselves with this production. The set is unique, the costumes by Rachel Sypniewski, the lighting by Jordan Kardasz and sound by Heath Hays are top notch and I was very impressed by the difficult props assembled (Jeff Shileds) and the four musicians who never overpower the singers: Hillary Holbrook, Kristina Lee, Curtis Williams and conductor/musical director Mike Pryzgoda. It takes a special team to ensure that the words being sung are heard by those in attendance and this group does it to perfection."
