Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Psychosexual drama aside, there is real tension in this Mary-Arrchie production (from director Cody Estle). Each man is an emotionally stunted, self-sabotaging outcast, and it is only together in this dingy little apartment (a cozy book-lined abode from designer Andrew Hildner) that they can finally let their freak flags fly."
Chicago Sun Times
- Recommended
"..."Uncle Bob" is a play about failed lives - one just about over, the other with the possibility of redemption. There are a few moments of physical violence but the majority of this is provided by Pendleton's words which sting and cut with the efficiency of the sharpest knife. The drama is capped with a melodramatic and hard to buy ending that has Bob commenting, "I don't believe this." Exactly."
Windy City Times
- Highly Recommended
"...If this dynamic is to work, the characters' courtship of the Grim Reaper must be clearly discernible as the petulant ruse that it is. What sabotaged the play's premiere in 1995 was Steppenwolf's insistence on playing both men as pasty-faced wraiths, when the vigor with which they debate the validity of self-orchestrated final-days scenarios belies their professed eagerness to shuffle off their mortal coils ("You don't know how precious time is until you waste it!" snaps Josh at one point). Mary-Arrchie Theatre director Cody Estle wisely stays out of the way, however, allowing Richard Cotovsky and Rudy Galvan to swap Pendleton's irony-laced repartee with a wryly affectionate chemistry highlighting the egotism and absurdity in welcoming the waning of the light solely in order to rage against it."
Time Out Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Pendleton's grim comedy examines the dynamic between two men with conflicting notions about failure. Bob submits to it; Josh rails against it. Galvan, a fascinating whirlwind of a young actor, makes for a well matched sparring partner with Cotovsky, fresh off a special recognition at this year's Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony. Combustible, nihilistic, but wise-to-a-fault, Galvan's performance as the deeply misguided suicide case draws attention away from some of Pendleton's less substantiated shock tactics. As a whole, though, Cody Estle's production suffers from awkward pacing and too many moments that fizzle out before they reach a climax."
ChicagoCritic
- Recommended
"...This is s disturbing, yet enticing work filled with much subtext with an ambitiously cynical take on life, love and self-worth.. It is also a scary story of self-destruction. I'll say no more so at not to spoil the power of the conclusion. Richard Cotovsky is riveting as the failed writer while Rudy Galvan, in his finest role to date, is thoroughly calculating and intense. These two give off sparks of hatred and admiration that is totally plausible. You'll leave this play shook-up. As much as were loath what they say and do, somehow we empathize with their plight."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...Director, Cody Estle, did a smart thing here. He let this show be about the performances, making sure every design element was what they needed. From the smell of the old books, to the dollhouse of a kitchen, this was a rent controlled New York City apartment in the early 90’s. And they didn’t have to spend a million dollars to make it so. Cudos to set designer Andrew Hildner. Simplicity, ingenuity, and intimacy are the things that storefront theatre, when done well, excel at. This is a prime example."
