Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...That real-life incident seems to be the inspiration for Kurt McGinnis Brown’s The Official Story, now in a world premiere with Her Story Theatre under Richard Shavzin’s direction. But Brown also wants to take on the nature of truth itself, complicated by the crass marketing impulses of the publishing world which prizes “truthiness” over reality (see the controversies around James Frey, JT LeRoy, Greg Mortenson, and so many others), alongside racial and gender tensions."
Stage and Cinema
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Outside a run-down cottage in rural Connecticut, a white-haired man in his 80s sits in a pleather armchair. The ground is littered with balls of paper. A few feet from the chair sits a barrel doing double duty as a trash can and a fire pit. The fuel for the fire is courtesy of the old man’s notepads, which are a seemingly endless source of discarded drafts of the novels he has abandoned over the last several decades."
Around The Town Chicago
- Recommended
"...The stage design is simple but very functional. Set designer Farrett Bell creates the interior of a small, slightly dilapidated country home in rural Connecticut. The house belongs to Henry Percival, a reclusive playwright who spends most of his days drinking and trying-unsuccessfully-to write. He rarely gets beyond the first paragraph."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Recommended
"...Like Gary Houston, director Richard Shavzin is also a veteran of Chicago theatre. He’s been on the ground floor of so many world premieres, including staging the first presentation of RACE, by Studs Terkel, while serving as the artistic director of Strawdog Theatre. Once again, Mr. Shavzin demonstrates his talent and finesse by orchestrating the first professional showing of Kurt McGinnis Brown’s latest play. Richard uses a subtle hand to guide his actors and stage this story. He’s an expert at focusing on the characters and the emotional and intellectual journey they’re making together. The result is an intriguing mystery story and a satisfying character study of how opposites attract."
Spotlight On Lake
- Highly Recommended
"...Both actors offer excellent performances and interact well together. Playwright Brown's script is well-written and features strong characters."
Playtime
- Recommended
"...Henry Percival is an author who lives in the Connecticut woods. He had one big hit a long time ago about a white man killing his black fiancé. The book came out after the author’s fiancé died under mysterious conditions. Everyone assumed that the book was the true story of what happened, but Percival was never convicted or punished for this crime. Xan Smith is a young black journalist who has come to interview him and get him to confess for a new biography about him. Did he actually kill his fiancé and will he confess?"
Allie and the After Party
- Recommended
"...When creative non-fiction writer Xan Smith is challenged to meet with her exact opposite, fiction writer Henry Percival, the two develop a precarious friendship over the years. A one act, one set play, The Official Biography keeps us on our toes as we watch them dance around each other and grow closer leading to an ultimate twist."
Werner's Theatre Reviews
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Her Story Theater joins forces with the Den Theatre to present the world premiere of The Official Biography, a new work that aspires to interrogate truth, authorship, and power. Since its founding in 2001, Her Story Theater has committed itself to illuminating the lived experiences of women and children through a social justice lens. This mission is evident in the play’s thematic ambitions—though the production ultimately struggles to deliver a satisfying ending."
NewCity Chicago
- Recommended
"...Running at ninety minutes without intermission, this is a smart play that asks big questions about the nature of truth. Without exceptionally strong performers, it could run the risk of being stiff and pedantic. Fortunately, Her Story Theater, which produced the show, landed veteran Chicago stage and film actor Gary Houston for Henry and rising star Shelby Marie Edwards for Xan."
