Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...Though the story has an undeniable whiff of "Norma Rae" to it, what sets it apart is Marnich's ability to flesh out these women as proud, idiosyncratic and funny individuals, not cardboard cutouts in a simple-minded screed against sexism. Wisely, Marnich places two sets of relationships in symbiosis."
Chicago Sun Times
- Highly Recommended
"...Drawn from Ross Mullner's book Deadly Glow, Marnich's play, which has been beautifully directed by Rachel Walshe and features a winning quartet of actresses, is so poignantly rendered that you can almost hear the clocks of the characters' lives ticking away. And while it is filled with documentary elements, Marnich has personalized the story in a way that makes it far more than just a horrible example of industrial abuse and the quest for legal justice."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...Marnich gives an already compelling story wider historical resonance by carefully orchestrating well-chosen metaphors to equate the victims' downfall with the wholesale curtailment of women's newly won social freedoms during the Great Depression. Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's pitch-perfect cast make 100 intermissionless minutes urgent and captivating."
Windy City Times
- Recommended
"...Rachel Walshe's direction for this Rivendell Theatre Ensemble production likewise shuns cheap-weep melodrama. Instead, Rebecca Spence ( nestled cozily in Jessica Kuehnau's scenic-collage ) conveys with intelligent compassion Catherine's spiritual growth from humble protector of her own loved ones to crusader on behalf of a “family” encompassing a nation of workers like herself."
EpochTimes
- Recommended
"...This is a 90 minute trip through some Illinois history that many of us have never been exposed to...a trip that is handled extremely well by this cast of players. In addition to these fine actresses, there are two actors who handle all the male roles- Ron Wells, plays their supervisor Mr. Reed as well as the Company doctor who assures them that an aspirin will make everything okay and their lawyer who wins the case. Sean Cooper handles Catherine's husband Tom to perfection as well as some other characters- they cover a lot of ground on a small stage but despite the small stage, the intimacy of the story and the characters we meet, works well."
Time Out Chicago
- Recommended
"...Jessica Kuehnau’s set provides a touch of its own storytelling. Early on, when the going’s still good, the ladies dash out one afternoon for a beach romp. Even in their revelry, though, they sit surrounded by Kuehnau’s beautiful but claustrophobic world of steeply angled wooden beams, overused household heirlooms and constantly ticking timepieces. The scenery never releases these allegedly free women from its grasp: Kuehnau’s astute work takes Marnich’s script and spins the yarn yet further."
ChicagoCritic
- Highly Recommended
"...These Shining Lives is an understated drama that subtly tells a worthy story. It is a powerful story of the strength of the common woman to earn their way and the resilience of their spirit. Melanie Marnich’s script is tight and well written. Rachel Walshe’s swift pacing and fine staging gave the show an understated strength. Rebecca Spence leads the outstanding cast. This show is a real find—don’t miss this wonderful play."
