Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...But Dereck Garner's Davis leans so far into the realm of American Pie's Stifler that it becomes increasingly difficult to see the men as intellectual equals, much less pals. With help from Matthew Gawryk's tasteful lighting, Scott Davis's set transports the audience to two locations with great specificity."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Mary-Arrchie’s superbly cast production follows college buddies Matt (Dan Behrendt) and Davis (Dereck Garner) on a trip to Amsterdam and their subsequent love triangle with a red-light-district prostitute (Sasha Gioppo). Between self-indulgent and occasionally meta arguments over literature—one of Rapp’s weaker tendencies—the two unlikely friends switch off being one another’s emotional support and competing for each other’s approval."
Chicago Theatre Addict - Highly Recommended
"...Adam Rapp’s play is a fascinating and tragic look at unrequited love. At times Rapp gets a little trite with his numerous literature references whenever Matt and Davis engage in pretentious writer-based arguments. And the last 20 minutes of the play seem a little too contrived in an attempt to tie things up in a perfectly tragic bow. However, on the whole, the play is quite solid and Mary-Arrchie’s production, directed by Carlo Lorenzo Garcia, offers clear, perfectly pitched performances from all three leads. Scott Davis’ deceptively simple set design effectively drives home the suffocating realities of the people in the play."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Red Light Winter is not the most well-constructed piece of theatre; it is not the best script, it is not flawless, it may not be deathless. That does not controvert, however, the fact that it is very enjoyable. And it is a good play. The script is at once serious yet playful, superficial yet deep. Depression, suicide, and deadly disease sit next to the dalliance of drugs and frat-boy pranks. It’s the combination that Adam Rapp balances so well that makes this piece what it is. And Mary-Arrchie Theatre brings a smart interpretation of the text with strong actors that make this a piece really worth watching."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"... In the end, leading lady Sasha Gioppo was the one who tightly held the show together for the entire evening. Without her character we would have no story, and if there’s no story obviously there’s no play. Mary Arrchie Theatre Company is no shy stranger to the realism of natural human intentions, and “Red Light Winter” definitely speaks to their goals as a working theatre company. I hope this goes without saying, “Red Light Winter” is beyond worth your time as an audience."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...This cast is sublime. This story goes deep into dark spots of humanity. The speed bump for me was some of the directorial choices. Garcia paces it with a long drawn out reveal. In the initial scene, Behrendt sits at his computer... for a long time. At first, the decision seems intriguing and natural. In later scenes, it feels contrived and affected. Part of the issue is the intimate Mary Arrchie space. As the actor takes his time to build the moment in silence onstage, offstage I’m aware of every noise. Since there is no theatrical action to focus on, the audience's movement breaks the still effect. Someone creaks in a chair. Someone drops a cell phone. Someone gets up to use the bathroom. The quiet connection between me and the drama is lost in the clunky habitation of being in the room."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...Chicago has no “off-Broadway district”, but we are home to many smaller “store-front theaters), where young companies, ensemble companies hone their craft with a mission. One of these companies, Mary-Arrchie Theatre ( who have been around since 1986) focuses on material that addresses the fears and passions of the human condition , in their second floor “black Box” theatre located on Sheridan Road ( at Broadway). way. Their current production, Adam Rapp’s “Red Light Winter” is a smooth two act three character play that truly deals with relationships. I must warn you that some of the material in this play is not for all audiences as there is pot smoking and nudity as well as simulated sex, but this is not there for selling tickets to those who enjoy these things."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...One of Rapp’s major strengths lies in piecing together small, ordinary and even forgettable moments until they’ve accumulated into a gasp-inducing conclusion. He does this with Red Light Winter, showing how memory, lust and love can play tricks on the mind and the heart, creating illusions that shatter the soul when they shatter apart. In Mary-Arrchie’s tiny, intimate space, the destruction is as thrilling as it is tragic."
