Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Influenced by hip-hop, slam poetry, jazz and politically conscious oral history in the Anna Deavere Smith tradition, and performed by a tightly cohesive group of New York-based performers, "Ameriville" is more something you would expect to see in New York's Under the Radar Festival, where it indeed was performed a year ago, following a 2009 premiere at the Humana Festival at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, than at the Biograph, where Victory Gardens programming long has been dominated by traditional plays from mostly Chicago-based writers."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The show’s pacing lags in places, and the imagery it invokes—in Yew’s staging, in Brian Freeland’s projections and in Universes’ words—can be unsettling; at times, it may feel like an indictment of modern America. But Ameriville ends on a hopeful, imperative note. If the picture it paints of our modern country isn’t always pretty, it encourages us to get out our brushes and paint a better one."
Chicago On the Aisle - Recommended
"...Unfolding along the lines of an old-fashioned revue, “Ameriville” begins with the national embarrassment that was the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and from there, well, there are so many directions to go and Universes eventually explores them all. Poverty, racial prejudice, abuse of our natural resources, the West’s disproportionate consumption of those resources, and so on."
ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended
"... The righteously indignant tone that pervades so much of the production seems to be thatofthe “last angry man” at open-mic night. Ultimately it’s a disappointmenttoseeso much effort spent reminding us to have empathy for a weary world. It offends by putting us on the offensive by aggressively assuming we lack it."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Not Recommended
"...On opening night the audience, perhaps reminded of the interactive mania of “Chad Deity,” were happy to wallow in liberal guilt, cheering the sheer feat of all this perpetual motion. But then, returning to Katrina (which they never do), Ruiz can sure sing up a storm. But a show has to add up to more than its parts. “Ameriville” is no more than a well-orchestrated poetry slam, worthy of the Green Mill but not the Victory Gardens."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"... Written and performed by Universes, the show is an electrifying blend of multiple artistic and media vehicles. It is modern AND old-fashion. Hip-hop and stand-up comedy mingles with gospel-singing and poetry. It’s a stomping, scat-singing, lyrical sensation. Under the direction of new Artistic Director Chay Yew, the cabaret-like showcase is dynamic. The pace is rhythmic and fluid. The numerous scenes flow right into the next one. Yew and Choreographer Millicent Johnnie staged it as a non-stop, energetic movement. It’s not ballet. It’s not jazz. It’s like a waltz done by four people without touching. Universes is just impressively in-sync. One starts the foot tapping and they all join in. They start synchronized rowing and you expect them to move across the floor."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"... The four performers, all highly talented, William Ruiz, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp,Steven Sapp and Gamal Chasten make each segment of this exploration come alive and keep the interest of the audience from start to finish and the 90 minutes, moves very quickly. Each story is one that helps to weave the overall look at our country’s identity as they bring our awareness to new heights using poetry, song and dance and while the subject matter may be alarming for some, causing them not to find this production as typical Victory Gardens entertainment, I found it powerful and entertaining as well as educational and well worth the trip to Lincoln Park. If you are not into the political scene, think of this as an eye opener so that you can help make the changes for the future- the changes that will allow us to be prepared for some of the problems thatwe face today. Perhaps, you will make your voice heard after you learn about some of the things you were not aware of."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...In his inaugural season, Yew has brought an invaluable gift to Victory Gardens in the form of UNIVERSES. So memorable is Ameriville, it leaves less of an impression and more of an imprint. At the performance I attended, the crowd collectively leaned forward for the entire hour and a half, captivated but not silent. They laughed loudly. They applauded heartily. They murmured in agreement. At curtain call, they leapt to their feet. Ameriville isn’t technically interactive but UNIVERSES command audience engagement from the first soulful ballad to the final plea for a better world. Never preachy, but always compelling, Ameriville fulfills and inspires. This is meat and potatoes theatre. Everybody row, indeed."
