Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...A perfectly tiny pub in rural Ireland is the setting for Conor McPherson's "The Weir," a quietly moving play composed of the kind of personal ghost stories that haunt us all — both real and imagined. Boiled down to its essence, the play is collection of five monologues that mirror the gradual inebriation of its characters. Initially everything seems very much expected and in control, only to slide into territory far hazier than you might have anticipated."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Director Miller found the perfect actor in Armacost, who gives a standout performance as the likable Jack, a man who has never married and claims he has no regrets. But as his tale unfolds, he clearly does have problems with his solitary life."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...With a text long on talk and short on action, close attention must be maintained if we are to appreciate the gradual progress from eerie adventures recounted at a safe distance to those rooted in personal exigency. The Seanachaí troupe has forged its reputation on sensitivity to this brand of intimate rapport, drawing us into the subtle dynamics of four loners extending comfort to a stranger—played with just the right measure of strung-out vulnerability by Sarah Wellington—in dire need of companionship. Under Matt Miller's direction, surrounded by Robert Groth and Jenniffer J. Thusing's cozy country-tavern decor, this is ensemble performance at its purest and best."
Centerstage - Recommended
"...It is the woman, Valerie (Sarah Wellington), who is The Weir's lynchpin. A stranger from Dublin, the object, the other, from the moment she enters, you know there is more to her than friendly poise. The tension and tragedy in her eyes will keep you riveted until she, in her turn, tells her own story. "No harm in an old story," the characters keep insisting. Whether or not this is true, you'll come out of "The Weir" muttering, "This has been a strange little evening." feeling both satisfied and haunted."
Chicago Stage Review - Highly Recommended
"...Seanachai Theatre Company’s singularly spellbinding realization of The Weir possesses a subtly mystical chemistry that not only delivers a captivating night of theater, but also lifts the magical realism of Ireland up and out of County Sligo, carries it over the Atlantic and drops it down in the midst of Chicago. Perfect for this ghostly season or anytime, it is a stunning example of the best that Chicago has to offer. DO NOT MISS this extraordinary production."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Each story that’s told brings its subject matter, and its relationship to its teller, into sharper relief, starting with the most dubious and supernatural and ending with the most personal and concrete. Miller draws every bit of nuance out of his cast, taking a breather at all the appropriate moments. Wellington and Armacost, in the pivotal roles, hit just the right notes, while Smith deftly handles the most reserved. McPherson’s play is ultimately about the importance of community and sharing stories. As one of his characters says, “You have to relish the details.” Seanachaí’s production does so in spades."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This is a movingly powerful drama that is a tribute to the depth of the human spirit. Seanchai Theatre Company’s production if filled with terrific performances led by the brilliant work from Brad Armacost. This is marvelous Irish storytelling."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...Many of my favorite playwrights are ones that are educated and passionate enough to know the rules, and talented enough to create effective plays that transcend those classic rules. You'd struggle to find the "action" of this play, or a real "conflict". But there is no denying that this is a play that is spellbinding, to say the least, and I'll be adding Connor McPherson to my library right away."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...Irish writers are known for their lyricism and long-windedness, and Seanachai eats it up. With The Weir, Miller spits out a dialogue-packed product that’s still able to tap into our deepest fears of the unknown. I’m guessing the buzz will quickly mount."
