A Dolls House presented by Infamous Commonwealth Theatre at The Greenhouse Theater Center

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"... Kate Cares is superb as Nora, who feels she must play the helpless kitten even though she's stronger and more competent than her inflexible blowhard of a husband. And she's well matched by Stephen Dunn as said difficult spouse. The supporting characters in this Infamous Commonwealth Theatre production are similarly well cast and played. Mark Shallow, in particular, imbues every gesture and glance with rich resonance as the terminally ill Dr. Rank."

Centerstage - Recommended

"...While strong performances abound, Kate Cares stands out as Nora Helmer, the initially perky, childlike protagonist. Though Nora’s redemptive final scene could be more grounded, throughout the play, Cares manifests Nora’s accelerating metamorphosis with assurance. From physical adjustments to vocal changes, Nora’s transformation remains consistently believable. Another standout, Josh Atkins as Nora’s would-be blackmailer, offers a nuanced portrayal of a man redeemable, though flawed."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"... Cares succeeds in drawing the audience into her pain, but her decision to leave—neither revelatory nor particularly dangerous in this setting—lacks punch. There’s no explosion, no door slam. The choices here aren’t illogical, but neither are they stimulating."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...Barbara Roeder Harris as the avuncular nanny, and Amanda Roeder as the housekeeper Helene, in her first post-graduate production, round out this sturdy cast. The decision to not include the children as characters on stage in this production makes the dénouement only slightly less heart-wrenching; this is a solid production that will only get stronger as the run continues – and with tickets only $15-20, it makes for an excellent and affordable afternoon or evening."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Infamous Commonwealth Theatre does an excellent job creating this atmosphere of women's oppression. Nora is a character resembling that of a doll, a doll for which men can flaunt around and be admired for. Kate Carves gives a very commanding performance, her transition from “doll” to a dominant women was a very marvelous change. Her co-star Stephen Dunn, playing her husband, was incredible depicting a typical man of the 1960s era. Bear in mind this was a time period where women's suffrage had only been around 30 years or so, with countless women's rights movements following."

Chicago Theater Beat - Somewhat Recommended

"...Scenes between Nora and Torvald are this “Doll’s House’s” saving grace. Dunn and Cares effectively capture Ibsen’s intentionally blurred familial relationship between husband and wife. To Torvald, Nora is his spouse, but treats her as his child. He wags his finger in parental disapproval when he catches her sneaking some sweeties, only to later leer at her as she dances a sexually-charged Tarantella. When Nora kneels beside Torvald, it’s anyone’s guess whether she’s about to ask for candy or fellate him."