Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...All in all, and I've saved this for last, the chief asset of "In the Garden" is Andrew White, whose performance as Darwin deftly captures the idea of the reluctant revolutionary, the self-doubting, publicity-averse scientist who just wanted to find evidence and apply potential proofs and who did not really want to get into the idea of God at all, although he of course had no choice. This is a very wise, kind and fundamentally generous performance; White lets Spence, whose performance is bolder and broader, take much of the focus, which creates a dynamic interesting, honest and thankfully, unexpected."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...This meticulously layered, hugely engaging piece of storytelling - alternately fervent and charming, comic and didactic - seamlessly captures three stages of life. It begins with the boyish Charles (John Francis Babbo), already an obsessive observer of nature, playing with his cousin, Emma Wedgwood (Caroline Heffernan). Both young actors are accomplished and beguiling. Then, in one of those magical transitions unique to theater, the two grow up in a flash."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Gmitter and Thebus do try. They pack the evening with lots of biblical symbols. The play begins with a young girl haltingly reading the first few lines from the King James version of the Book of Genesis ("In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth . . . "), followed by a brief scene in which a young Darwin observes the animals in his garden before being interrupted by a young girl (Emma) who enters and distracts him. Clearly he is supposed to be Adam and she Eve. But what is Eden? Their innocent childhood? The uncomplicated world before Darwin's theories shook us out of our dogmatic slumber?"
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Spence's inviting actorly vitality and the lushness of Collette Pollard's flora-flecked scenic design do a lot of heavy lifting, and Gmitter gets in some nicely turned phrasings ("Divine providence is not an answer, it is an excuse not to look for one"). Yet while Darwin's theories remain heated topics of discussion, In the Garden is a dramatic rehashing that needs more dramatizing."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Smitter's strong script is buoyed even stronger performances by Mr. White and Ms. Spense whose performances are never forced and always measured within a ubiquitous truth. Supporting cast members Cindy Gold and Austin Tichenor do great work in a plethora of characters while Jonathan Balbo and Caroline Heffernan give very adult performances as the Darwin children."
Chicago On the Aisle - Somewhat Recommended
"..."In the Garden" is a sweet diversion, just not especially interesting. While Darwin (the intensely focused Andrew White) obsessively compiles evidence of natural selection, Emma (the spousally perfect Rebecca Spence) has babies and softly reminds him of his promise to keep an open mind about the possibility that God is in the details of our daily lives. He replies, "Yes, of course," then repeats that he will embrace any truth that observable facts support; and she, sighing, once more stands down in wifely deference."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...With its intentionally contradictory title, In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story is not about the Garden of Eden; it is an earnest but unengrossing world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre Company, a study in amorous opposites that attract. Lookingglass artistic associate Sara Gmitter delivers a warmly written but ponderously circular chronicle of the much-tested marriage of the great Charles Darwin (Andrew White), co-discoverer of evolution, and the very religious Emma Wedgewood (Rebecca Spence), a lovely lady with a fine fortune who only wants her large family to one day be reunited in heaven. Charles, however, doubts that destination."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...In the Garden is a worthy play that combines the story of a world changing scientist who was able to maintain a romance with his wife despite their religious differences. In the Victorian Era, as today, that is hard to deal with. This work is intellectually stimulating yet wholesomely a romantic love story and a fine family drama. The powerful test of the family resolve with Anna's illness is a heart wrenching testimony to family love. In the Garden is a wonderful drama that begs to be seen."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...The play, directed very smoothly by Jessica Thebus on a cleverly open set (Collette Pollard) takes us from their youth ( the younger Charles and Emma are played to perfection by John Francis Babbo and Caroline Hefferman, who also play other children later). The story telling is clever in that we can be outside or inside with very little change and therefore no break in the action from scene to scene. Darwin's writings have been ones of controversy for many years and many people and so this particular love story is unique in how we see that despite our different ideas, love can conquer all."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...This is a production that's warm and tender one moment and yet ratchets up controversial arguments and concessions the next. But, above all else, this is a passsionate love story in the very best sense. Science and God just happen to be the two characters that provide the conflict."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...Director Jessica Thebus is totally tuned in to Gmitter's quiet but passionate story, moving the action along smoothly through its many scenes, making sure that the contrasting points of view are enunciated fairly, and dramatically when possible, but forcing nothing. Collette Pollard has designed the detailed all purpose set and Mara Blumenfeld's costumes wonderfully establish an authentic Victorian look. JR Lederle designed the lighting, and Andre Pluess designed the sound and composed the original incidental music."
The Fourth Walsh - Recommended
"...Out of all the great love stories in history, Gmitter chose to tell the Darwins’ story. This play is not about falling in love. It’s about evolving in love. I found the first act fairly tedious. I’ve never heard so much dialogue on the Lookingglass stage. And the theatre’s signature whimsy is missing. No one soars through the air or pops out of a hidden door. A billowing curtain doesn’t drop to reveal a viola moment. IN THE GARDEN is a straight-forward-at-home-with-the-Darwins. Still, something magical happened in Act 2 for me. Between the science and religion courses, I found love."
