Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Intended to inspire with stories of survival, Wilder's play is a serviceable piece, but no more. It touches on themes similar to those in Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" (most notably the way rural African-American women faced battles at home as daunting as the hostile world outside). And it follows a similar structure by recounting a poor but resilient woman's journey across many years toward emancipation and actualization. But with the exception of a few gripping scenes, "Gee's Bend" touches sketchily on its subject rather than delving into its core. And the poetic qualities of the two works aren't in the same league."
Chicago Sun Times
- Recommended
"...Gracefully directed by Chuck Smith, beautifully acted and sung with true gospel fervor by a cast of four (Charlette Speigner, Jacqueline Williams, Penelope Walker and John Steven Crowley), and artfully designed by Richard & Jacqueline Penrod, Wilder's 90-minute drama admirably captures many aspects of seven decades of rural African-American life, from the Depression of the 1930s through the new millennium. But it fails to home in on the singular pursuit that ultimately set these women apart, and instead becomes a touching but overly generic portrait."
Daily Herald
- Somewhat Recommended
"...There's much to admire in Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder's 2007 drama "Gee's Bend." Yet one gets the sense that Wilder doesn't delve deeply enough into the remarkable everyday lives of the black women whose distinctive handmade quilts have brought fame to the isolated town of Gee's Bend, Ala."
Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The cast and director Chuck Smith strive to put meat on the bones of this schematic play, but they just can't flesh out the married couple at its center. Gee's Bend provides useful glimpses of African-American history, but something's wrong when the set--suggesting at once a forest and the ramshackle walls of a board house--steals the show."
Windy City Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...There are great performances to behold in Northlight Theatre's production of Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder's 2007 drama Gee's Bend. Unfortunately, the play itself doesn't rise to the occasion of its compelling subject matter, or the fine cast and crew assembled at Northlight."
Chicago Free Press
- Highly Recommended
"...Northlight Theatre’s “Gee’s Bend” is presented as an evening focusing on a unique art form—quilting. While quilt work decorates the periphery of Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder’s script, she focuses instead on a more traditional, multi-decade look at the civil rights movement and the strength of the working poor. The magic in this production resides squarely in Chuck Smith’s powerful direction and his flawless four-person cast."
Copley News Service
- Highly Recommended
"...Chuck Smith directs with insight and sensitivity, keeping the pace brisk and deftly balancing the play’s rich vein of humor and its drama. In particular, Smith keeps the characters human and not just stereotype examples of the triumph of the human spirit."
Time Out Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Even if Wilder’s play didn’t take the easiest route to audience gratification imaginable—we’re basically asked to believe quilting ended American racism—Smith’s uncharacteristically stiff staging does little to add what the playwright leaves out."
ChicagoCritic
- Highly Recommended
"...Gee’s Bend is a refreshing resilient glimpse into the heart of a strong people. Gee’s Bend is more than a place, it is a way of life. The quilts give testimony to the art and craft of the folks of Gee’s Bend. Theses stories sure need to be told."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Highly Recommended
"...Based on true events, this is a heartwarming 90 minute production directed by Chuck Smith with a tremendous amount of feeling and each character in this script written by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder who was inspired by what she learned about these women. The story is not about the quilts, but rather the fabric of the characters, these women and how each scrap, rag and piece of thread was part of their being woven together to keep them as unit."
