The HOA at Factory Theater

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...The play works well enough as a pastiche/homage to the brainwashing effects of the inner workings of patriarchy. Begale’s cunning performance suggests that it takes smart women to figure out how to make other women choose the gilded cage. But the ending is confusing, frankly; we are left unsure as to whether Cassie is doing a “defeat them from within” strategy, or if she’s just decided, “Fuck it, this shit’s too hard, I’m just gonna go with the flow.” Either way, it feels overly abrupt and unearned—particularly since we don’t see enough development of Steve and Cassie’s previous relationship to figure out why she’d be willing to give up everything for him. If that’s what she’s doing."

Chicago On Stage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Angelina Martinez’ The HOA, now playing at the Factory Theater, has many theatrical predecessors. Almost any show or film dealing with cults is a spiritual ancestor of this play about a homeowner’s association that is far more than meets the eye, as newcomers Steve and Cassie discover. The replace-wives-with-robots film The Stepford Wives is such an obvious influence that Martinez has her characters call it out. But the one precursor that I can’t stop thinking of is The Matrix. In that now-iconic film, Keanu Reeves’ Neo is given a choice: take the red pill to understand the horrible truth about your life, or take the blue one and blissfully forget it all. Ultimately, that is what these two young professionals have to deal with."

NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Director Christy Arington also leans on the strobe lights to the point where I had to look away. This would be all much more excusable if the script settled more firmly as either a farcical over-the-top comedy or a slightly serious drama. Instead, the plot exists in that awkward in-between point. The final scene also appears unrelated to the play, an ending too contrived to be shocking. As much as I wanted to like “The HOA,” it left me wanting more."