Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...Serving as narrator of these tainted love stories is the slightly sinister Dweller (a sly, charismatic Kevin Webb), a character in Collier's 1951 short story "Are You Too Late, Or Was I Too Early?" The Dweller is a listless writer who discovers a woman's footprint on his bathroom floor and becomes intrigued with the phantom nymph he believes inhabits his apartment."
Chicago Reader - Not Recommended
"...The scenes of "macabre fantasy" fudged together here in this Black Button Eyes production attempt to be light and dark simultaneously, but what darkness there is feels spoofy, and the biggest laugh of the night is awarded to a puppet. The hatchet is used to assault someone, I forget who. It all happened so slowly."
Northwest Indiana Times - Highly Recommended
"...It succeeds with this captivating interpretation of sketches — some silly, some sinister — woven together by the terrified narrator, expertly rendered by Kevin Webb."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...Following Webb's lead, the energetic performers play all of their characters to the hilt-which is mostly welcome, though lighter stabs might sometimes be appropropriate-and the human cast is augmented by puppets, designed by Jeremiah Barr, that are fully successful. Rutherford and choreographer Derek Van Barham keep things moving swiftly with plenty of DIY flourishes, although the lights often fail to keep up with the moving actors. While production is slight, therein lies some of its charm. Its simplicity pairs nicely with the bitter flavor of Collier's stories, which is strong enough that only a drop will do."
Theatre By Numbers - Recommended
"...For those looking for a spooky show, “Nightmares & Nightcaps” may not fit the bill, but its dark humor provides enough enjoyment and insight to make a rewarding evening at the theatre."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...What’s so taking about this trove is the archly mannered-to-stilted performances from nine dedicated tricksters. The Black Button Eyes zanies are wizards at rapid-fire costume changes, stereotype switching, and assorted accents. Galvanized by such sinisterly stylized overkill, Rutherford has found the perfect theatrical equivalent to Collier’s blend of the lethal and the looney."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Adapter and director Ed Rutherford has found a perfect frame in the dissolute Dweller’s attempt to untangle his own story. The precise and enthralling ensemble cast weave in and out of stories, as principals or extras, and sometimes even scenery, assisted by the choreography of Derek Van Barham. The whimsical set, props and puppets by Jeremiah Barr and costumes by Beth Laske-Miller usher the audience into the absurd world onstage. The world premiere of Nightmares and Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier rescues Collier from the obscurity which threatens to overtake him, no infernal assistance required."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...“Nightmares and Nightcaps” – deftly adapted and directed by Ed Rutherford – begins as The Dweller (played with immense panache by Kevin Webb), awakes with a start in his city apartment where he carefully locks his door and draws his curtains. Dressed in a purple smoking jacket, and clearly a serious drinker, he talks about his passion for books. And at turns droll, dyspeptic, cynical and unabashedly neurotic, he summons a series of stories that unspool in quick succession."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...From the young theatre company noted for its fanciful and frightening plays and musicals, such as "Coraline," "Shockheaded Peter" and the lovely, romantic "Amour," we have another evening of entertainments that combine together to form a danse macabre. Serving up black humor, several unexpected surprises and a few genuine chills, Ed Rutherford's latest production is nicely staged, beautifully acted and creatively supported by a team of clever theatrical artisans. And, as an added bonus, bibliophile theatergoers may even discover a new author they'll want to read, in the prolific works of John Collier."
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...The nine actors, who double and triple as characters, have all mastered accent variations and quick costume changes, with the help of the stage crew. Their acting is stylized and sometimes silly, but it all fits together. The cast also includes puppets (one very scary), and people as creatures. (Kat Evans is a beautiful Bird of Paradise. Ellen DeSitter is Armadillo and also plays a small boy and a character named Squirrel.) Jeremiah Barr, set designer and technical director, gets credit for the puppet designs. Costumes are by Beth Laske-Miller. Robert Hornbostel is sound designer, which includes period music as well as the monster-y sound effects."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...Let's get one thing clear from the start: despite its thrillerish title, Nightmares and Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier, now playing at the Athenaeum in a Black Button Eyes production, is absolutely hilarious. Collier was a British expatriate author of poems, stories, screenplays and novels, most of which dealt with bizarre or fantastic circumstances treated in a comic style. Director Ed Rutherford's adaptation of several of these stories captures both their darkness and their humor in a short (75 minutes) evening of highly engaging theatre."
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Near the end of his life, the modest Collier said he would “sometimes marvel that a third-rate writer like me has been able to palm himself off as a second-rate writer.” But whatever his limitations, John Collier knew his craft and his audience. He was one of the twentieth century’s masters of the macabre, and his work deserves better than to be treated as one big campy joke."