The Women at Circle Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...The supporting performances in Jim Schneider's Circle Theatre staging are awfully, um, broad, and Elizabeth Wislar's costumes look cheap and poorly constructed. But the production pulls itself together when it matters, with the help of Zev Steinberg's cat-fight choreography, Jhenai Mootz's poised take on the play's beleaguered heroine, and Hayley Rice's turn as a woman who's managed to extend her mollycoddled infancy into adulthood."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...Director Jim Schneider has attracted a large and skilled cast for The Women, right down to the smaller bit parts. The actors are clearly reveling their chance to deliver such funny lines like "Jungle Red!" or "Where I spit no grass grows ever!" while wearing such period-perfect costumes designed by Elizabeth Wislar."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Compounding an overall lack of depth, there are some age-inappropriate casting missteps. On a positive note, Mootz captures some nice subtleties in her occasionally cloying but refreshingly earnest performance, while Brigitte Ditmars has a satisfying turn as husband stealer Crystal Allen."

ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended

"...The out dated script and the stereotypical characters made for a long evening. Only Jhenai Moots  seemed to properly play her role as  Mary who finds out her husband of 12 years is having an affair. The audience at the performance I attended seemed split with the women liking the show and the men bored out of their minds. Luce’s script sure aims zingers at us guys. I believe The Women is a “girl’s night out” show. Best leave the guys home to watch the Cubs or White Sox."

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended

"... was completely captivated by THE WOMEN. The eighteen, all-female cast stun in multiple wardrobe changes by Costume Designer Elizabeth Wislar. The vintage visual on a revolving art deco stage, designed by Bob Knuth, is an incredible spectacle. Wislar saves the best dresses for our heroine Jhenai Mootz (Mary). Mootz is a model of graceful, sophistication. Within the high-energy antics of the ensemble, Mootz charms with reserve, polish and hope. She leads THE WOMEN with a quiet empowering resilience."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...The production team has done a wonderful job in all aspects of making a production whole; Chelsea Lynn’s lighting illuminates the stage to perfection,Peter J. Storms’ sound and musical interludes are fitting of the time and the costumes by Elizabeth Wislar  and Ursula Rivera are spectacular with just the right feel of the era . The furniture and props by Schneider, himself bring you back to those days and the memories we have from films and the opening choreography (Bob Sphatt, who also did the floral arrangements) and the fight choreography ( Zeph Steinberg and Aaron Pagel) is very realistic."