The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 presented by Chicago Children's Theatre at The Station

Chicago Sun Times - Recommended

"...Anybody who had a secret fort as a child will relate to the sense of safety that fourth grader Kenny Watson finds behind his living room sofa. In Christopher Paul Curtis' Newberry Award-winning book "The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963," the couch provides a sanctuary that - crucially - is too small to accommodate grownups and all their often incomprehensible ways."

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended

"...One of Chicago’s most acclaimed young directors makes his CCT directing debut with The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963. Director Wardell Julius Clark is on the rise with some insightful images and memories of his own in this compelling story. This children's fictional story that is close to Clark's heart has some weighty content in its storyline and Clark does the right amount of justice providing hope, support, and loyalty to the original storyline and the adapted version by Cheryl L. West."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended

"...Director Wardell Julius Clark poetically constructs the Watson family’s journey through captivating moments of stillness and enrapturing moments of surprises both delightful and horrific. The use of an alley orientation in the intimate Pritzker Family Studio Theater space place emphasis on the subtleties of characters that are bound to one another—every move and every word can be held under scrutiny and observation. This spyglass effect of the space’s intimacy is to the benefit of the staging, as a car filled with disgruntled Watsons becomes a playground for dynamic character relationships. The facade of the vehicle serves as a distillation of the entire play — a concentrated pill of the Watson family’s quarrels, resolutions, and joyful celebrations."

PicksInSix - Highly Recommended

"...Opening a door for discussion with children of all ages, the Watson family in West’s moving production bursts with heart and understanding–as when providing comfort to Kenny, Grandma compares the strength of family to endure hardships like the roots of trees that “no matter what’s coming at ’em, keep these trees standing strong and standing tall for years on end”—one of many valuable lessons that run deeply through this poignant work."