Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...For those who don't know the full canon for either writer (and both were of course prolific), the show is a lovely introduction to the essence of their worldviews, without ever trapping them in the narrow boxes where others (especially white critics, as Blakes's Giovanni observes) would like to keep them confined. Preshow music by pianist Isaiah Jones Jr. and singer Mardra Thomas and the murals of Sholo Beverly add aural and visual textures to this smart and soulful celebration of two of the most important writers of the 20th century."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
- Highly Recommended
"...Fleetwood-Jourdain's The Baldwin/Giovanni Experience is a remarkable depiction of these celebrated legends. With impressive depth and engaging dialogue, Sean Blake and Rachel Blakes, as Baldwin and Giovanni, deliver a powerful performance for those who appreciate compelling storytelling and thought-provoking conversations. I may be somewhat biased, as I am a potential junkie who watches political news and events daily."
Around The Town Chicago
- Recommended
"...The play starts out wonderfully with pianist Isaiah Jones, Jr. accompanying vocalist Mardra Thomas, who sings three songs well-known in the African American community: Stevie Wonder's "Love's in Need of Love Today" (1976), Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" (1939), and Roberta Flack's "Compared to What" (1969). As pleasurable as this is, this segment differs significantly from the rest of the performance and makes the show seem somewhat disjointed. Why was there this introduction in the first place? Was it to draw our attention to a culturally relevant expression of African American music? Or was it to point to the fact that love might be the best way to counteract a divided society's ills? Perhaps it's the second, because when the conversation finally turns to Baldwin and Giovanni, Baldwin talks about how the meaning of love would be a substitute for God, and the show ends with Giovanni saying almost the same thing."
Buzz Center Stage
- Recommended
"..."The Baldwin | Giovanni Experience" at Evanston's Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre attempts to capture the essence of that conversation, in a 90-minute world premier of the theatrical work at Evanston's Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre. Directed by Tim Rhoze who co-authored it with Bria Walker-Rhoze, the work includes music, poetry and dance woven into the discussion, and appropriately so. Especially given that we have Nikki Giovanni (Rachel Blakes) on stage, who is poetry personified."
Evanston Roundtable
- Highly Recommended
"...The play was co-written and directed by Fleetwood-Jourdain's artistic director, Tim Rhoze. Rhoze's wife, Bria Walker-Rhoze, co-wrote the play. The production reimagined the dialogue to explore the ideology and artistry of both Baldwin and Giovanni through spoken word, poetry, music, choreography and mural artwork."
NewCity Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Directed by Rhoze, the play reimagines the historic dialogue through spoken word poetry, dance and music on a stage decorated with scenic murals by Sholo Beverly-two paintings on either side of the stage composed of squiggly lines that resemble rocky canyons viewed from above, and one in the center, composed of two colorful circles on the outer edge of a large ring that fail to penetrate through to the white center."
