Lascivious Something Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...It's by no means a cheery bacchanal. On the contrary, an air of intense melancholy, of longings felt but never satisfied, permeates director Ronan Marra's deep-diving production. It is an excessive play, perhaps a little too tipsy and free for its own good. Its gender politics are never fully clear, its sympathies constantly shifting, its point of view oblique and its poetry complex. But there is something in the air here, in both material and its Chicago manifestation, especially when it comes to the no-holds-barred performance of Georgann Charuhas, who plays one of those just-holding-it-together characters who has unwisely gone in search of an old lover with whom she still is desperately entwined."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...There are. Callaghan's conceit is to race ahead through a scene's possible outcomes, and then reset the action without comment. At times this annoys, telling us things that ought to be implied. But mostly it works, lifting the veil on a cruel, beautiful set of relationships that could come straight out of Aeschylus. Ronan Marra directs a powerful four-person cast for Signal Ensemble Theatre."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"...The sexual tension of this love triangle is riveting but the show is much more than soap opera. These are some strange people to spend two hours with, but they’re also extremely intelligent and captivating"

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...But Callaghan's 2010 play frustrates as much as it mystifies. It's compelling while the seeds are being planted, but without any clear direction, it long wears out its welcome. The ensemble's performances, despite some very strong moments, don't quite overcome the play's difficulties. Roos distinguishes herself with her vivacious Daphne, but the rampant sexual tensions are all awkwardness and little heat, spilling out in so many different directions that the conflict feels muddled. Even after the big reveal, it's difficult to nail down what actually happened or if there was any purpose in telling the story at all."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...The action in this love triangle is confusing. Why does the Daphne keep kissing the girl who she and August referrer to as Boy and why is Daphne okay August having sex with Lisa? Why does Lisa seem to befriend the pregnant Daphne when her purpose is to get August to return to the USA with her? As this slowly paced drama unfolds and erupts into a strange ending, I felt manipulated and unsatisfied. I just don't understand this play and I felt like I wasted my time since the weirdness of this work left me scratching my head in wonderment. These deeply flawed characters didn't evoke enough empathy for me to care about them. And that awful Greek accent by Simone Roos wore me out. Signal Ensembles Theatre usually selects better play. This one just didn't work for me."

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended

"...The cast is terrific. Callaghan gives them redeeming qualities wrapped in self-absorption. As their lives unravel, we see each's goodness, ugliness and neediness. The perfectly accented Simone Roos (Daphne) is the gracious hostess. A hilarious Roos is charmingly blunt. Her direct address to Liza is equally sophisticated and vulnerable. The intriguing Georgann Charuhas (Liza) presents herself with a down-to-earth sensibility that conflicts with her stalker-like adventure. The object of affection and obsession is Joe McCauley (August)."