The Pavilion Reviews

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Like several post-pandemic shows in Chicago, the Artistic Home's production of The Pavilion, written by Craig Wright and directed by Julian Hester, is about an intimate relationship between two people over time. It is also about the creation of the universe, being tethered to the past, and literally burning down sentimentality. High school sweethearts Peter (John Mossman) and Kari (Kristin Collins) reunite at their 20th reunion of the class of 1980."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Just an old fashioned love story! That is what one might call Craig Wright's "The Pavilion", now being presented by The Artistic Home Theatre Company. Think back to your youth- for example your high school reunion. We had several along the way. The first was only a year later ( just to see how college went), and the second 10 years, allowing each of us some actual "life" to discuss and brag about. The big one was twenty. Time had changed all of us. Some were married with kids, and deep in debt. Others were divorced, with kids and even deeper in debt. Some were happy, some were sad."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...Skillfully directed with a light, but sensitive touch by Jeff Award-nominated Julian Hester, this is a beautiful, very special play. During a time when so many forces are darkening our world, including the resurgence of Covid and the horrifying violence that continually terrorizes our streets, Artistic Home is giving Chicago audiences a production that will move, inspire and offer an evening of laughter and reflection. The simplicity, allure and emotional impact of this play provides a soothing metaphysical meditation on life. Given the talent that has brought this play to life, it's a production that really should not be missed. As Kari and Peter hold fast to each other, dancing to Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," a perfect musical metaphor for this play, we're minded that all of this has happened before and it will certainly happen again."

Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended

"...Reunions are often dreaded: we are all aware that people there compare lives with each other, and a lot of us are afraid to come up wanting. Artistic Home's new production of Craig Wright's 2005 The Pavilion understands and portrays this element, to be sure, but it is about much more. The Pavilion of the title, where this reunion is taking place, is an old town landmark that, immediately after this affair, will be torn down and replaced by a passionless concrete dance hall, forever leaving a hole in the townies' memories, which will become even less real as the town, like all of them, moves on."