Pot Girls Reviews

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Bakari's dazzling direction and the stellar cast make this simply one of the best shows I've seen so far this year (granted, the year is young, but still)."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...The third act of Pot Girls is incredibly clever and witty and, like the rest of the production, exquisitely performed. Yet it cannot quite settle on its tone and ultimately comes across as glib and insincere. If the play weren’t so beautifully directed and acted, it might have undermined the entire enterprise—but it doesn’t. Instead, it earns a nod for its self-awareness and ambition, even if its ideas occasionally tangle themselves into knots. Better to be over-ambitious than play it safe."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...You may be a little confused about this one. This play is called "Pot Girls" and is onstage at The Raven Theatre Building. They are also running a play called "Top Girls" on their other stage. We will be adding that one later in the week. This particular play is presented by The Story Theatre and is a World Premiere written by Paul Michael Thomson, who is a member of this company and is directed by another company member, Ayanna Bria Bakari."

Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended

"...The sensational ensemble cast is led by an absolutely captivating performance by talented Brenna Distasio, as Caryl. She’s been wowing audiences in Story Theatre productions for many seasons, like MARIE ANTOINETTE AND THE MAGICAL NEGROES, FIRES and LEAVE ME ALONE! Ms. Distasio totally carries this show and truly holds her own against an array of other excellent actors. Gifted newcomer, Ireon Roach, makes her auspicious Story Theatre debut as Caryl’s partner, Edith. And she is excellent in this role."

Buzz Center Stage - Highly Recommended

"...The Story Theatre’s world?premiere staging of Paul Michael Thomson’s Pot Girls bursts to life in a vivid, full?throttle production at Raven Theatre. Pot Girls is a sharp, funny, and thought?provoking new play that fuses feminist history, artistic accountability, and a rainbow haze of 1980s, weed?soaked poetry and art."

Chicago On Stage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Pot Girls is a clever play with snappy dialogue and well-drawn characters. It’s too long and sometimes feels more like a graduate seminar than a play (game recognize game), but Ayanna Bria Bakari’s direction is so fleet and graceful that it never really drags. The performances are sharp and funny — Marso’s self-involved American actor is a particular highlight — but something about the show didn’t quite cohere for me."

Allie and the After Party - Highly Recommended

"...Pot Girls shows a specific time period of second wave feminism and is bookended by philosophical musings and call to action moving forward. A superb cast transforms into literary icons from the past to modern day women in the workplace creating these different vibes of the play."

Werner's Theatre Reviews - Recommended

"...Known for their original work since 2018, The Story Theatre opened the world premiere of Pot Girls on Raven Theatre’s Schwartz Stage. Founding Governing Ensemble member Paul Michael Thompson created this play as an intertextual riff on Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls. Churchill’s play is simultaneously performing alongside Pot Girls. This new production succeeds in paying homage to the artists who inspire us. It also asks the questions about the duty of the artist and the truths art can reveal about our world."