Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...The director, Matt Hawkins, throws himself into this human drama with enormous amounts of intensity: The actors spend almost all of these 90 minutes glaring at one another as if their lives depended on the fiery theatrical connection."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Monty’s struggle to figure out what manhood is all about is challenged at every turn as he tries to balance rage and passivity, and to make sense of who he is, who he CAN be, and who he can trust. But the fact is, every character in Beckim’s play must fight for his or her own freedom."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Fortunately for director Matt Hawkins, J. Salome Martinez gives a brooding, volcanic, unfailingly precise performance as Monty in his Chicago debut, providing enough gravity, momentum, and heartache to render a failed script and unevenly cast Profiles Theatre production engrossing."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...After is an important piece of theater as it gives a glimpse into a growing number of people who are dealing with this issue of re-integration. On a small scope After deals with real human drama; on a bigger scale, After shines light on a very broken criminal justice system which has become a political animal focused on punishment no matter what the ultimate cost is to society."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"... This is one of those productions where I care about the characters, I care about the actors (even to the point of empathizing with one who fumbled some lines), I care about the story, and I care about the company (Profiles) so much so that any production and script imbalances are pardoned forthwith."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...The 90 minute one act is a haunting look at the devastating effects of imprisonment of a youth, specially one who is innocent. Being robbed of one’s youth is could ruin most folks. Once released, we see how difficult it is to cope with contemporary society. The pain and social scars Monty wears are heart wrenching. His is a good man with inter-strength lost in a world of injustice. His struggles to put things behind him and move on in life are emotionally rendered in this well-acted and finely written work. No cliches and no made-for-TV endings here. Only honest and truthful conclusions. Monty comes to realize that his lone skill and accomplishment in life was in training his dog – and that -is enough for him to realize that he is a worthy person deserving of a good life. His inter strength give him hope. After features strong work from J. Salome Martinez, Jr as Monty with fine work by Gabriel Ruiz and Stephenie Park. Once again, Profiles Theatre has mounted a stage worthy show."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...AFTER is a heart-wrenching glimpse at a life lost. J. Salome’ Martinez, Jr. makes an unforgettable Chicago debut with this show. You’ll want to see AFTER so you know what came before Martinez’s next."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"... Directed by Matt Hawkins on the very small stage at Profiles, on a set ( Dan Stratton) that is very minimal, but serves the purpose of moving the story from scene to scene with ease) this is a study into a man and what can happen when his life has changed for the better, or has it."
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"...Rich with telling details none of which get neglected in Matt Hawkins’ textured staging for Profiles Theater, After is just that, an appropriately fragmented look at Monty’s return from nearly two decades of wrongful imprisonment. Monty (a slow-burning, multi-faceted J. Salome Martinez Jr.) may have been freed by a new DNA test, but that exoneration means nothing to his “period of adjustment.” He’s 34 but still feels 17, the age when the cell door slammed on him. He can’t sleep because his sister’s house is just too quiet. He can’t make decisions about which toothpaste to buy or when to cross with the pedestrian “go” light because he’s used to getting orders from guards. Monty sleep-walks, if only to test these greater boundaries that don’t confine him. He resists even talking to his alleged victim who’s burning to apologize."
