Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...At the treatment level, Pracht’s story does what good documentary theater does best: contextualizes major themes of an era—midcentury American weaponization of censorship, in this case—and frames them and their impacts at a personal, human level."
Talkin Broadway - Recommended
"...The play itself and the production suffer from a handful of bumps in the areas of tonal consistency and pacing, but the design is extraordinarily well done, the cast is strong, and the story is, overall, compelling and well told."
HollywoodChicago.com - Highly Recommended
"...The stage play is sharp and funny, especially in its use of a character represented by the author of “The Seduction of the Innocent,” German psychiatrist Frederic Wertham. As portrayed by Frank Nall, he becomes an increasingly strange Greek Chorus to the proceedings, providing a much needed comic relief to a somewhat serious story of American censorship, cancelling and fear during the government hunt for anything they deemed subversive."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Mark Pracht's second installment of his study of comic book history focuses on the 1950s and horror comics that feature crime, mutilation, sex, and death-plus zombies, werewolves, monsters, and the like. Entitled "The Innocence of Seduction", the play largely focuses on Bill Gaines (Sean Harklerode), who originated the horror genre as the owner of Entertainment Comics, or EC, a company which he inherited from his father. We watch what happens to Gaines and his rival comic book publishers as they band together in reaction to Congressional hearings on whether reading the comics can be linked to juvenile delinquency."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...Playwright and director Mark Pracht presents the second play in “Four-Color Trilogy” as the opening production of City Lit’s 43rd season. Last season saw “The Mark of Kane,” the first chapter of his series of historical dramas set in the early years of the comic book industry. While that play explored the origins of the Batman and Robin series, this play sheds light on the visual artists and the men behind the scenes who brought young readers an array of provocative adventure, horror, crime fiction, dark fantasy, futuristic science tales, military stories and satire. The comics bore titles that included Tales From the Crypt, The Vault of Horror, Weird Science, Shock SuspenStories, The Haunt of Fear, Crime Patrol, Valor and many others."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"..."The Innocence of Seduction" recounts this inconceivable (maybe not given book ban efforts today) but true story, and so delightfully and with such panache that you will be completely entertained. WIth a passionate cast of 15 players, and an inventive script by Mark Pracht (who also directs), each scene opens much like a panel in a comic book. This is Pracht's second work in a projected "Four-Color Trilogy" about the illustrated periodicals and is the opener for City Lit's forty-third season."
Chicago On Stage - Somewhat Recommended
"...Knowing that there is nothing about Gaines (even though Harklerode goes all-in on his performance) that we can latch onto, Pracht instead focuses our emotions on a couple of minor characters. Brian Bradford plays Matt Baker, a gay man who could really use a time-travel subplot as he cannot find love in the repressive 50s. (His love interest, well-played by John Blick) is even more closeted than he is.) Also, multiple scenes feature Janice Valleau (Megan Clarke), a likable up-and-comer in comics illustration who up-and-comes at probably the worst possible time."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...“The Innocence of Seduction” is a love letter to comic books, featuring characters based on the actual creators, their work and how they were affected by the repercussions of overregulation. A fun time for the average fan of theater, comic book “true believers” will shout “Excelsior!” at the level of research put into this production, brought to life by a more-than-capable troupe of actors."
