The Gimmick Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Given the force of the writing, It’s reasonable for Orlandersmith to give the piece a tertiary life, and, to her credit, Frederick makes “The Gimmick” her own. The stakes never rise high enough, and you don’t get the sense that is actress is chasing down her character’s demons. But there is honesty. And Duncan, a capable director, brings some provocative visual ideas."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"... The read-your-way-out-of-the-ghetto trope is a bit tired at this point, but Orlandersmith's compassion and word-drunk lyricism provide originality and uplift. Ilesa Duncan's production for Pegasus Players feels too small for the stage it's played on, but benefits considerably from LaNisa Frederick's adroit, charismatic performance as Alexis."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Performing The Gimmick alone, Frederick might have seemed like just a copy of a copy, but with the effort shared, she shines. Shifting from eight-year-old to teenager to the adult Alexis narrating this memory play, Frederick is dazzling in her mastery of Orlandersmith’s verbal illustrations of daily life and daily strife around East Harlem’s Mount Morris Park. Blackmore’s and Thompson’s primary characters, Jimmy and the librarian Ms. Innis, are lightly sketched by the playwright but given remarkable life by their portrayers."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...It is Ms. Frederick's play and she is quite good, although I would like to see her slow down a tad and let those words take on their full meanings. Pegasus Players is presenting "The Gimmick" as a three actor play, and I feel it gets lost bit in the large Truman College auditorium, particularly when audience counts remain in the single digits. With no disrespect intended the capable Caren Blackmore and Brandon Thompson, who are billed inventively as "Female" and "Male" respectively, "The Gimmick" still feels like a one-woman solo piece."