Leveling Up Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Director Hallie Gordon's production generally is well acted and paced. The scenes between Braver and McCartney have a real zing to them, although MacKinnon probably creates the most credible character on the couch in a play that argues for smelling some fresh air now and again, even while it revels in all the fun to be had indoors."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...It's a morality play, one that perhaps isn't as easily resolved as the ending might imply, but still, the questions here are imperative. Director Hallie Gordon keeps things swiftly paced, and the four young actors here are uniformly strong, depicting Millennials who are, in fact, a lot more complicated than they're given credit for."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...The threat of succumbing to selling scam nutritional supplements doesn’t quite stand up to the debate about drone strikes on a moral quandary level. But all four actors in Hallie Gordon’s staging are winning in their portrayals of the uncertain edge of youth, with Brian Sidney Bembridge’s scenic design and Anna Henson’s projections providing an impressively immersive gaming experience. For Steppenwolf for Young Adults, it’s an impressively up-to-date and uncondescending treatment of the world online and off."

Stage and Cinema - Somewhat Recommended

"...When other characters try to persuade Ian that he needs to socialize more, he talks about his in-game friends and how well they know him. Later on he tries to find solace from one of them and is rebuffed, discovering just how shallow a relationship really is when based on teaming up to shoot down virtual enemies. When McCartney sits alone in the dark, it's a particularly poignant observation about the isolation that electronic communication can produce. If there were more scenes like this, Leveling Up's criticisms of video games could have resonated with its target audience. Instead the message falls flat, weighed down by far too many game-bashing speeches."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...We also see that Zander leaves the group after the scheme blows up leaving him embarrassed and in debt to his friends. I'm not sure that Leveling Up's message to the young adults that are targeted is worthy. It is full of street language and ample us of the F-word. While that is not knew to the teens, the play seems to validate its usage. i believe that theatre needs to uplift language not resort to the lowest usage. Folks wouldn't allow teachers in a high school to use the F-word so why does theatre do so? Lastly, I'm not sure if the subject of addiction to online video games is adequately shown to be a detriment to the development of youngsters. It sure seems to glorify or rationalize the passionate gamers? I hope I'm wrong about that since I believe that online video games are dangerous, especially the violent ones. I can hope."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...There are a few passages in Laufer’s play that suspend the action to offer eloquent, well-executed but lengthy philosophy on games, but that is a minor quibble. From the “Call of Duty”-interspersed opening dialogue, Leveling Up is an amazing reflection on how technology is changing our world and how we live in it. Like it or not, virtual reality is becoming our reality. Laufer understands that it is not the technology or the reality that we choose that is important, but our relationships. Not just for the teens, this is a play that has plenty to offer audiences of all ages. Leveling Up is smart, funny, frightening, poignant and, ultimately, despite its focus on technology, very human."

The Fourth Walsh - Recommended

"...Laufer's play makes a statement. For the targeted young adult audience, it may be heavy-handed. For older adults, the monotony of the subject matter may be over the top. Undeniably, LEVELING UP has a point and it makes it. Game over."

Splash Magazine - Recommended

"...Despite the over-abundance of themes going on, the play does ask a lot of important questions that may lead in to some interesting discussions, especially if you stay for the talk-back session afterwards. These discussions will be relevant to any teenagers or young adults about to face graduation in the coming months and transition into the real world, full of uncertainty, without the familiar safety nets. Sometimes the best way to “level up” in life is to just put down the games, the cell phone, the computer, and just face reality head on by connecting with others face to face."