Hesperia presented by The Right Brian Project at RBP Rorschack

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"... Nathan Robbel's talented cast act their parts with a stillness and understatement worthy of a cinematic closeup, giving the play its quietly shattering impact. Nick Freed is especially strong as the youth minister, an intriguing mix of dogmatism and openheartedness."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...Colburn's narrative, as staged by the Right Brain Project in its fourth-floor warehouse studio, is structured in screenplay-styled three-characters-or-fewer scenes performed on the forestage, with absent personnel ranged on chairs against the upstage wall and acting-exercise wooden-block scenery. The building's echo-producing exposed brick shell, coupled with the operating noise of the room-sized air-conditioning unit, tend to blur the enunciation of actors speaking at conversational volume. And, in the role of the ambivalent penitent, Natalie DeCristofano's babyish clothing and appearance verge precariously close to pulp-fiction parody. But Colburn's is a mature drama asking serious questions, refusing to take sides or traffic in easy answers, and under Nathan Robbel's direction, the cast's wholesale commitment to their material are enough to overcome any impediments generated by the production's physical limitations."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"... There are some hitches in Colburn’s script; weeks seem to go by between Ian’s arrival for the wedding and the actual event, for instance, and Colburn’s secondary characters (played by Katy Albert and teen actor Danny Mulae) are devices rather than people. But the nuance and lack of judgment he brings to subjects such as born-again Christianity and his deft way with dialogue are impressive (“I just want you to know your lifestyle doesn’t bother me,” says the well-meaning Trick. “Likewise,” replies Ian). While Robbel’s direction is physically clunky (featuring the most awkward scene transitions in recent memory), he elicits terrifically honest work from his leads. Freed stands out as the youth minister whose outward confidence masks inner complexity."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...While I enjoyed the play, certain playgoers may feel unfulfilled because many of the stories are left open-ended.  Also, since the theatre is rather small it can get very warm inside (be sure to dress appropriately).  Finally, there are no backs to your chairs so if you have any issues sitting on the pillows, give a call to the folks at RBP and perhaps they can help you out because I wouldn’t want you to miss out on this show as a result of that.  This production goes to prove that strong storytelling and performances are the heart of great theatre."