Durango presented by Silk Road Rising at Chicago Temple

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Carlos Murillo's production employs some inexperienced actors and, at times, feels both overly elusive and somewhat underpaced. Nonetheless, it features a moving performance from Foronda and a mostly effective and atmospheric staging, even if the geographically diffused script may be more naturally suited to a screenplay than the stage."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"... The cast’s understated but detailed performances let the play’s series of small, tense moments build to an emotionally shattering climax. As the brothers, Dawen Wang and Erik Kaiko establish an appealing familial rapport and evoke the right mix of confusion and longing. And Joseph Anthony Foronda conveys both Boo-Seng’s tight-lipped facade and the weariness and regret hidden just beneath it—a portrait of a man whose future is as empty and airless as the desert around him."

Windy City Times - Highly Recommended

"...Director Carlos Murillo delves deep and balances the play's early humor with respect for its dominant mournful tone. He and designers Marianna Csaszar ( scenic ) and Rebecca A. Barrett ( lighting ) have crafted a seemingly primitive box set that's full of theatrical surprises and painterly beauties."

Chicago Free Press - Recommended

"...While not as edgy or provocative as some of the work that’s made Silk Road Theatre Project a unique treasure on the city’s theater scene, “Durango” is a solid, absorbing production that reflects the company’s usual quality and thoughtfulness. Like other Silk Road productions, it offers penetrating insight into the generational struggles of immigrant families in America."

Gay Chicago Magazine - Recommended

"...Apart from consistently creating exceptional and entertaining theater, Silk Road Theatre Project, recipient of the 2008 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award, continually gives voices to the underrepresented communities that so beautifully accentuate and profoundly strengthen the fabric of our collective American experience. “Durango” is their latest theatrical gift that emancipates us from seeing America from one point of view."

EpochTimes - Recommended

"...There are some caring moments, some comical, but for the most part this play is about people and family and honesty and deception. This is a "think piece" and will cause some discussion (which is a good thing) and while there are few slow spots (perhaps Ms. Cho can do a little cut here and there to shave off 5-10 minutes) the strength of the actors, director and script are enough to make this a worthwhile theatrical experience."

Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Using yet another of its fresh, where-did-they-find-these-people casts, Silk Road offers a drama that’s timeless in its assessments of families but frighteningly timely in its look at American economics."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...Silk Road Theatre Project often finds new playwrights with unique points of view. There latest find, Julia Cho, is a talent."