Sister Africa presented by Genesis Theatrical Productions at Athenaeum Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Each character is a composite, and the speeches are syntheses of multiple experiences, which results in several well-meaning sermons but not much of a story. The play culminates in a graphic and horrifying description of rape and murder. Had it started there rather than with a litany of platitudes, this might have been a powerful chronicle of a catastrophe."

Theatre By Numbers - Recommended

"..."Sister Africa" written by Stephanie Liss and directed by Elayne LeTraunik is a play advertised as being about efforts to aid the women and children victimized during the Congo's ongoing civil war by the Jewish World Watch. It's a description that brings up mental images of the white savior narrative. The white savior narrative is a narrative in which an outsider, usually white, travels to a place, usually full of black or brown people, and rescues them from the horrors of their existence."

ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended

"...The inability of most of the audience to hear the speeches, kills this show adding another tragedy to this horrific account of genocide. It got so bad, I was thinkg about shouting out "Louder, Louder" after Malessa Nelson's first few weak opening monologue. After the continued inabliityto hear most of this drama, I became frustrated and ultimately irritated. This story deserves better. (I'm waiting to see how many other reviewers mention the low volume?) Audiences need to kow that they may have trouble hearing a play. This problem is simple to correct: make the actors speak louder. Let's hope the stsge manager tells them to project, to speak louder, especcially during emotional scenes. Until the weak volume is corrected, Sister Africa is not stage worthy."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Recommended

"...Genesis Theatrical Production's Sister Africa aims to combat this apathy by sharing the individual stories of those affected by the unrest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While there are some problematic choices and technical issues along the way, the show ultimately succeeds in its mission, making for an incredibly moving piece of theater, living up to Genesis Theatrical Production's and director Elayne LeTraunik's commitment to spark conversation about global issues."

Picture This Post - Somewhat Recommended

"...Sister Africa will likely have very strong appeal for those who are actively engaged in Tikkun, a quest to heal the world through religious study. Most of us will learn or re-learn quite a bit about forgotten Congo thanks to this work. That said, this strikes more as a script that preaches to the choir, or perhaps more properly described as preaching to a minion."