Carnival Nocturne presented by Silent Theatre Company at Storefront Theater

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...The company's aesthetic is right there in its name -- silent theater inspired by the look and traditions of silent films. The ensemble is still best known for its production of "Lulu" four years ago. "Carnival Nocturne" isn't as good, but it has its moments."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...A four-piece band supplies a compelling accompaniment to the mostly wordless storytelling. And a few performances--notably that Marvin Eduardo Quijada as the Barker--have the physical vividness Norma Desmond, the mad silent film star in Sunset Boulevard, is talking about when she says, "We had faces!" But all this attention to sensual elements seems to have drained the Silent Theatre Company's energy for careful, coherent narrative."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...Though undeniably dark in tone, the romantic gloom is mitigated by the disarming presence of a carnival barker/storyteller, played by the always charismatic Marvin Eduardo Quijada. The four-piece orchestra dispensing kletzmer-tinged melodies (with a pre-show score eerily reminiscent of Maestro Subgum and the Whole) likewise provides aural respite from the visual/kinetic spectacle."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...Carnival Nocturne" is crammed with symbolism and various subplots so it's not easy to follow, but that isn't really the point. A circus world filled with wonderfully vivid costumes by Barb Staples and showcasing eerie Siamese twins (Lindsey Marks and Taylor Bibat), freaky cats (Dean Evans and Molly Plunk) and a host of engaging characters underscored by brilliant live musicians - that's what this play is all about. Adventurous direction by Tonika Todorova and wildly effective make-up by Stephanie Schultz supply "Carnival Nocturne" with enough wackiness and subversive fun that you don't miss a traditional storyline."

Edge - Recommended

"...In a cast of 13, one would expect some differences in ability that could easily derail the whole undertaking. There’s precious little evidence of that here, though: I might say there’s good and there’s better, but that would be solely to give myself the opportunity to single out the performances of Taylor Bibat and Lindsey Marks as the Siamese twins. Their eerie, jerkily graceful body work will surely be giving me nightmares for weeks to come."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Having viewed the opening night performance, I noticed it could have been tighter as far as flow from scene to scene and set changes as well as the moderate choreography could have been together. At times it seemed some cast members struggled to keep up with each other. Where the light shined most brightly in the story was the individual moments each set or small group of cast members were able to perform within the context of the story."

Chicago Theater Beat - Somewhat Recommended

"...Clever and imaginative are the perfect words to describe this Silent Theatre Company experience. I admit that I’d probably need a to see this a few more times to completely understand the story-line. Unfortunately the program doesn’t help decipher the components of Carnival Nocturne. Without dialogue or program pictures, we’re left to guess: Who is who? What is what? What’s going on? Talk to me, Silent Theatre Company! "