Slipping at The Side Project

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Slipping, by New York-based playwright Daniel Talbott, is the stronger of the two plays, and it has the feel of a journal scribbled by its very observant, agitated 17-year-old protagonist, Eli."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...While Slipping could be passed off as another troubled teen drama, it's nice that its main character isn't at all depressed about being gay but due to family and romantic circumstances. Slipping certainly isn't for all tastes ( even with the nudity perks ) , but it certainly paints an honest picture of an angst-filled gay teenager struggling to make emotional sense of his personal losses."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...after the surprising scenes of initial courtship from the corn-fed ballplayer and flashbacks to his brutal ex (Caffrey and Gonzalez excel in those respective roles), Talbott’s writing starts to lag into a predictable and gloomy “very special episode” territory. Webster’s direction is never less than inviting—his cast plays untoward seduction scenes like they’re classical music—but there’s considerably less for us to care about in the second half. Still, you won’t find three more legitimately screwed-up teens on any Chicago stage at the moment."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...For me Slipping is reminiscent of the kind of theatre that used to be so abundant in Greenwich Village before it was too expensive to take any chances there. I personally loved this show and think that theatergoers who crave original and creative work in spaces where the actors reign supreme will as well. If that’s you, then Side Project’s Slipping is as good as it gets."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Nate Santana gives a courageous and psychologically intense performance as Eli. Rose Buckner, Daniel Caffrey and Adrian Gonzalez all give solid, committed support. And author Talbott slices through the moody despair with occasionally riveting dialogue that suggests a promising talent in the making. Kudos to The Side Project for giving voice to two original young authors and tackling subjects less adventurous companies wouldn't go near. May they continue to do so for a long time to come."