Under America presented by Mortar Theatre Company at Athenaeum Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...There's a lot to admire in Jacob Juntunen's unabashedly didactic new play about public housing, institutional racism, and the prison system--especially act two's scary, comic dreamscape, which simultaneously recalls Franz Kafka and L. Frank Baum. Too bad the central character, a Chicago Tribune reporter who moves into Cabrini-Green, is so relentlessly, gratingly implausible."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...There's no denying the social commitment of Juntunen and the Mortar Theatre Company—under whose auspices his play is currently enjoying its world premiere—in reaching out to citizens who apparently never read newspapers or watch television ( not even "Law And Order" ) . Certainly, if you ascribe to the belief that "criminals," as a group, embody remorseless evil, Under America's revelations will probably enlighten you ( or possibly reaffirm your prejudices regarding "those" people ) . But more sophisticated playgoers will quickly tire of Juntunen's sensationalistic approach to his topic. The Mortars strive mightily to elevate their material to the level of legitimate agitprop, but cannot banish the impression that its author's opinions would have been better packaged as a graphic novel."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...The insurmountable obstacle is Sam herself. Asking us to believe a supposed Chicago Tribune reporter could be so jarringly oblivious to the very existence of Cabrini-Green, or so shocked—shocked!—to learn that black men are incarcerated at hugely disproportionate rates is an insult to journalists everywhere. And Juntunen allots so much time to Sam’s personal problems—she’s afraid to come out to her dismissive parents, alienating her totally reasonable girlfriend—as to inadvertently suggest her issues are equivalent to Cabrini’s."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...Under America has potential to be a strong dramatic play with an important message behind it, but it gets lost in its attempt to do too much.  Characters seem out of touch with the reality, and therefore lack a connection with the viewer.  In a long play, the cast does a fine job performing and this play holds a lot of potential, but it needs work.  The drama is there, but the focus is not."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Chicago is a city with a million stories. It has a history unlike any other in the world, and it's fascinating to examine all the different points of view that shape the way this city has been built. In "Under America", the newest play from Mortar Theatre (which is very new itself), we are able to see both a unique point in Chicago history and an interesting look at what may be part of its future."

Chicago Theater Beat - Somewhat Recommended

"...Let’s not forget that this is Mortar Theatre’s second production ever. They are a ballsy group of artists for sure. Even though Under America might get ensnared in its own web, there is a lot of talent and intelligence at work. They like to ask big questions and explore unique perspective—one hypothesis in the show links products manufactured by prisoners to concentration camps, for example. With some more generous use of the backspace button, Juntunen and company could easily hit gold with their upcoming season."