The Swordswomen Of San Gimignano at New Rock Theater

Chicago Reader - Not Recommended

"...Mike Brayndick, who does triple duty as playwright, director, and scenic designer, clutters the stage both visually and thematically—the fact that exposition continues into the last scene suggests the need for serious cuts."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...Those inclined to sneer at DIY ventures such as these would do well to remember that many of our comedic "classics" originated in precisely the kind of rough-and-ready popular entertainment celebrated in this Goldoni-inspired romp. No, it's not Stratford, or even Spring Green, but its charms are manifest, nonetheless."

Centerstage - Recommended

"...The aforementioned henchmen, Lucrezia (Amy Dellagiarino) and Jacopo (David Servillo), are the standouts of this production, and the two to most clearly have benefited from Brayndick's collaborative approach to theater. He compares it to Mike Leigh's filmmaking, in which the director and actors spend several weeks workshopping ideas and characters, building toward a cohesive narrative. Dellagiarino and Servillo's chemistry and physical presence enliven any scene they appear in, and their affection for one another makes their inevitable ends all the more poignant."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...Writer/director Mike Brayndick has a cast of near amateur players who uniformly were miscast. Given the complex material, one would assume a director would find more experienced and articulate players to tell his story? Then again he did cast two of his relatives in the show. I was amazed that he was not aware that his cast couldn’t be heard over the din of the AC. Sometimes being too close to a show can spell trouble. Maybe a worthy play is contained here but I couldn’t hear enough to know."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Writing a theatre piece set in the Renaissance is much more difficult than many people will understand, but Mike Brayndick does an impressive job. He also takes on the role as director, which was an immediate red flag for me as I am strongly against playwrights directing their own work, but Brayndick pulled it off with ease. He held a strong grasp on his cast and led them in the right direction. Now if you’re looking for a new historic play with a nice twist of comedy, then look no further. It’s not Chicago Shakespeare, but it is a confident piece of theatre that is something different and entertaining."