Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...This is not a play about a quest for survival, though. Mlima is no match for those who wish him ill. But this fiercely anti-poaching drama, Mlima cannot be confined by his own death. Even as those great ivory tusks pass through middle-men, shippers, buyers, aesthetes, government, bribers, Mlima continues to haunt part of his own body, a constant reminder of their culpability. You might think of this overtly political play, a consciousness-raising work designed to wake us all up the fate of many African elephants, as a conservationist’s revenge fantasy."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...As Mlima, David Goodloe carries the production, making the grand creature come alive through Nottage’s perfectly sculpted words and movement director Jacinda Ratcliffe’s expressive choreography. At lights up, Goodloe shows Mlima at the height of his powers, striding with intent, carefully listening to all that surrounds him. The scene is idyllic: Wild bird calls, rustling grasses and the magisterial bellows of Mlima himself evoke the vast grasslands where wild elephants live — and die. Mlima is killed in the first scene, shot by bow and arrow."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...A tight, propulsive story, this production leverages a capable ensemble of six to bring to life the entire chain of events from Mlima's death in Kenya to the unveiling of an ivory carving in the home of a wealthy collector across the world."
Theatre By Numbers - Highly Recommended
"...This production tells a complete and chilling tale about what is lost when we forget there are lives beyond our lives, and creatures and people that deserve protection beyond ourselves."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...Buoyed by phenomenal acting by David Goodloe and directed by Jerrell L. Henderson, “Mlima’s Tale” describes how animal poachers kill African elephants in violation of international law and work with smugglers and black marketeers to satisfy the demand for ivory, particularly in the Far East. The production is an amalgamation of Lynn Nottage’s highly cerebral script and the Griffin Theatre Company’s dramatics. A minimalist but appropriate set provides a splendid backdrop for a disturbing story that comes to life before us."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...To cut to the chase: “Mlima’s Tale,” Lynn Nottage’s 2018 play about the savage slaughter and potential decimation of Africa’s “big tusk” elephant population, and the illicit trade in ivory that drives it, is a stunning piece of work – equal parts poetry, ritual and an anatomy of corruption. And it is receiving a magnificent production by Griffin Theatre that does full justice to both the beauty and power of Nottage’s script, and the majestic creature whose tragic fate sets the story in motion."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...This stunning production by Griffin Theatre is the auspicious Midwest Premiere of Lynn Nottage's allegorical drama about unconscionable greed. In Jerrell L. Henderson's impressive and profoundly imaginative production, theatergoers can't help but be moved by the performances of this brilliant cast and, long after the final curtain, will remain haunted by the piercing eyes of actor David Goodloe, as Mlima."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...Director Jerrell Henderson has done an excellent job using 6 actors (Lewon Johns, Michael Turrentine, Collin McShane, Ben Chang, Christopher Thomas Pow and Sarah Lo) to portray 18 characters in this tale of greed, treachery and ivory to stunning results. The ensemble was some of the best work I’ve seen from a cast. Special mention must go to Lewon Johns for his interpretation of a Nigerian Government Official. His accent and characterization were spot on, as was the entire cast. Scene and costume changes are done quickly and effortlessly making the 90-minute runtime flies by."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...This is an important story expertly told using creative stagecraft with an ensemble that is totally committed to what they are doing. The production includes some acts of violence which are effectively stylized and are not gratuitous or prurient."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...It takes many, many people (and some seriously greased palms) to make the ivory trade work, as Nottage's haunting and painful play makes clear. Even just watching it happen on stage, I felt that I had somehow been tainted by the vileness of it all as well. This is a play focused on an elephant, but its real targets are the despicable greed and misplaced pride of human beings that makes this sort of thing happen in the first place."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...Throughout “Mlima’s Tale,” we are implored to make better-informed decisions, challenge ourselves to consider the price we pay for beauty, and make a universal commitment to preserving our natural resources and the native habitat for endangered species to ensure that our fragile ecosystem survives–all powerful and important messages that demand our time and consideration."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...Award-winning playwright Lynn Nottage has given us a wordy script. For this writer, it is more the brilliance of the physical theater add by Griffin that makes this must-see theater. If you feel comfortable with references to fracking as "provisional energy" this might not be your top pick. If you feel that you could find a place in a herd of elephants weeping for the planet and what man's greed has wrought, this is a top pick for your time."