The Pillowman at The Gift Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Director Laura Alcala Baker's new production of Martin McDonagh's "The Pillowman," the profound and disconcerting 2003 play involving a writer who is arrested and tortured by a totalitarian state, starts out very well at the Gift Theatre in Jefferson Park. But it hits trouble in in its pivotal second scene, wherein the storyteller comes to see that creative freedom can extract a horrific personal price."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Amid the interrogation and torture, the theme of Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman (2003) is storytelling itself—what we write, and why, and what happens when the sense we make of senseless things like loss becomes the trap of a flawed existence, rather than an escape from it. Under Laura Alcalá Baker's direction, Gift Theatre's production tensely renders the darkness and the wonder of McDonagh's brilliant nightmare. Katurian's relationship with his abused brother Michal (Jay Worthington) roams from protection to disillusionment, sometimes burdened by and sometimes made divine by love, representing the best and worst of characters who never lose touch with their human qualities in a world with no happy endings. Inspired use of puppetry (designed by Daniel Dempsey) brings Katurian's stories, which structure the work."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Their current production is "The Pillowman" written by Martin McDonagh. I think the last time someone did this show in our area was around 1999/2000 at A Redtwist" on Bryn Mawr ( another "storefront"). My memory is pretty strong, but I believe that this current production is longer and adds some scenes that were not in that production. This is a two act play about a writer who writes stories that are for the most part gruesome. He is also the caretaker of his younger brother, who is mentally challenged. They are in a place that we are never sure of, but we are aware that there is a commandant, leading us to know that they are under the control of an authoritarian regime."

Picture This Post - Highly Recommended

"...This is the kind of production that you too may leave thinking you might want to see it again. True, it's about child torture on one level, but somehow trigger warnings don't seem to be required. If you too imbibed a lot of fairy tales as many of your first reads, you can summon that protective coating on your soul that those stories seem to afford so many children coming to terms with a cruel world. Bring that mindset to the theater, is this writer's suggestion, but do make sure you don't miss this one."

NewCity Chicago - Recommended

"...At the same time, the recurring themes of children being harmed makes the two-and-a-half-hour running time feel oppressive. Not every story told works either. The final one, a confusing drawn out tale presented like a word problem on a dry erase board, is especially difficult to digest. Again, this production is not for everyone. But there is enough intellectual gristle to chew on to make this production worthy of your time."