Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"... Based on playwright Evan Linder's own experiences at the College of Charleston in South Carolina — which will not be promoting this show — "Frat" is a closely observed picture of what surely qualifies as a genuine American subculture, identified by the age (about 18-23) and pursuits (women, booze, some definition of brotherhood, maybe even higher education) of its adherents."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...Any secrets divulged in the course of following four pledges through "hell week" are banal, and an initiation scene comes across as sweetly, childishly silly rather than shocking. Instead, see Frat for (a) a robust environmental staging; (b) an insight into the group-think, psychological cruelty, and desperate need to belong that make frat life possible; and (c) the beer, of course, available from a bar in the performance area."
Time Out Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"... Linder borrows from his own experience rushing at South Carolina’s College of Charleston; his piece resides somewhere between a touching homage to his Greek roots and an unabashed satire of them. Beyond inflatedideasof postgradopportunities(which, as is hilariously said with complete conviction, will quadruple because of three letters on a T-shirt), it’s a mystery what exactly the Theta Pi Psi pledges expect to get out of their initiation that makes the otherwise sensible young adults willing to desperately slurp down shots of hot sauce, or weep like children at the news of rejection."
Chicago Theatre Addict
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Playwright Evan Linder has based Frat on his fraternity life experiences at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. This atmospheric, promenade-staging, which is a commercial remount of of the New Colony’s 2009 production, offers a high degree of authenticity. It’s fast and frenetic and, at times, shockingly funny as we observe the inner workings of this ridiculous campus subculture, the fictitious “Theta Pi Psi” fraternity, from the our now jaded adult perspectives."
ChicagoCritic
- Recommended
"...So the characters are true-to-life, and so is the story. It’s fun, engaging, and, even if you aren’t a proponent of Greek Life, it draws youin. The acting is generally spot-on (though there is an occasional awkwardly-delivered line, or a moment that just feels act-y), and the sets, props and costumes are all basically perfect. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think you were at a frat party –or maybe Wrigleyville. It’s surprisingly fun and, for a certain demographic, definitely worth a look-see."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Not Recommended
"...Perhaps the world has changed some since "Frat" premiered in 2009. But can the scene in which men scream "faggot" for five minutes at the terrorized pledges seem anything but inappropriate since the 'It Gets Better Campaign" and anti-bullying efforts of the last year kicked in? Now in a commercial run by Hatmaker Theatrical Productions, "Frat" plays at The Apartment Lounge on Lincoln. As we exited the bar into the clouds of drunken smokers on Lincoln, I realized this may be a perfect place for this imperfect show."
Chicago Theater Beat
- Somewhat Recommended
"... Frat is done in promenade style, which works well for this play (though the lights would be better overhead rather than set as apartment lights, as they are blinding if anyone is unfortunate enough to stand in the wrong place around the room). Otherwise, the sets are done quite well and the fact that it is in a bar is most appropriate. I recommend this if you are planning to go off to college and especially if you are sending your kid to a ‘nice’ university. Kids romping about campus in a drunken daze. Young men making whores out of women. Women accepting the roles. Boys becoming truly American men in the old school tradition. Frat will put something heavy on your mind."
