Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...As penned by Sherry Lutken, Lisa Helmi Johanson, Morgan Morse and David M. Lutken, and as conceived and directed by the first of those writers and performed by the latter three, "The Porch on Windy Hill" wants to attract audiences by exploring and performing American folk and bluegrass music, a la Woody Guthrie and the like."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...A river of music runs through "The Porch on Windy Hill," cross-currents of ancient folk tunes rippling alongside streams of Bach and Haydn. Succinctly, accurately billed as "a new play with old music," the two-hour production at Skokie's Northlight Theatre is driven by the sonic sprawl of American folk music, a genre with influences as wide as the world itself."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...The music consists primarily of American folk favorites, including the tender "Down in the Valley," an exhilarating sea shanty "Sail Away Ladies," the sprightly torrent of notes that is "Over the Waterfall" and the pensive "My Horses Ain't Hungry," along with snippets of classical compositions by J.S. Bach and Joseph Haydn."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...The Porch on Windy Hill, conceived and directed by Sherry Lutken, is a delight from beginning to end, featuring an outstanding cast of three who cowrote the play and also perform some of the finest foot-stomping bluegrass music this side of the Des Plaines river."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...This new play with old music was a pleasant surprise and with an amazingly talented cast that would make any folk music savant proud. Lutken does an outstanding job working with Lisa Helmi Johanson(Mira), David M. Lutken(Edgar), and Morgan Morse as Beckett, who together co-wrote this production-the exhilarating narrative, superb music performance, and Beckett's impressive historical knowledge of folk music refreshingly a delight to watch."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...What did you do during the "Covid quarantine? Many of us caught up on all of the TV shows and flix that we had not had time to see. I know that with no theater and many restaurants doing delivery and carry-out only ( unless they had outside dining), we were at a loss. In a new play conceived and directed by Sherry Lutkin, now on the stage at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, we meet a couple, Mira ( played by Lisa Helmi Johanson), a violinist and her boyfriend, Beckett ( deftly handled by Morgan Morse) a folk song collector. They can no longer stay cooped up in in their Brooklyn apartment, so they decide to head up to the hills of North Carolina."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...The show is skillfully directed by Sherry Lutken and flows genially and sweetly from scene to scene and song to song. The dramatic arc is gentle and natural as Mira and her grandfather eventually tear down emotional walls and come together. The production is set upon a gorgeous, minutely-detailed Scenic Design by Mara Zinky. Lit by Lindsey Lyddan, day becomes night and the morning begins with a fresh, new feeling. This is a lovely, almost spiritual story about how the pain of racism can sting for years, and the way communication is so important for creating understanding and restoring love."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...All three characters are really fine musicians and Mira, played by Lisa Heimi Johanson, has a terrific voice, so basically audiences are treated to an exceptional "wingding" or "hootenanny." But there is a backstory."
PicksInSix - Recommended
"...Music is an extraordinary connector to the people in our lives and to our past. As we age, life-changing memories often linger dormant until they are awakened by a long-forgotten melody that will then burrow into our consciousness, leaving waves of mixed emotions-joy, melancholy and longing. Those feelings intensify in our youth as the music around us serves as the catalyst for the person we are destined to become. But, what happens if, along the way, those brilliantly seared memories evaporate in an instant? The answer to that question can be found in Northlight's arresting production of "The Porch on Windy Hill," now playing at Northlight Theatre."
Evanston Roundtable - Highly Recommended
"...The Porch on Windy Hill is a musical treat to the ear and a soulful treat to the heart. Subtitled “a new play with old music,” the Northlight Theatre production is magical, and the talent is awesome."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...This homespun, heartfelt "porch" welcomes you to the Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans. It's billed as a new play with old music. Come the story, stay for the music!"
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...This production hums along well on two levels with director Sherry Lutken (who also conceived this work) allowing for both the sentimental as well as the more painful moments to breathe. The cast (each of whom shares a writing credit) is simply exceptional with all three members proving adept not only in nailing the dramatic moments but also in playing folk instruments involving everything from a dulcimer to an erhu (a Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument). They also possess earthy and natural singing voices that effectively show off a musical catalogue bred of longing and sadness."
