Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...David Eldridge's "Under the Blue Sky" is a closely observed, carefully built and rather sad play — and thus ideal for Chicago's intimate and unstinting Steep Theatre — about the love lives of schoolteachers. Unless you're talking scandal, that's unusual in itself. But Eldridge's British teachers aren't attracted to their students; they all date their colleagues. And as with most workplace romances, that presents a particular set of challenges. But Eldridge, one of Britain's best younger playwrights and a writer who has no time whatsoever for cliched sentiment a la "Mr. Holland's Opus," hardly stops there."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...In “Under the Blue Sky,” David Eldridge, the gifted and prolific British playwright, demonstrates he is a master at building heated dramatic encounters between men and women. And the actors at Steep Theatre, where the play is now receiving its Midwest premiere, prove they can act the stuffing out of these scenes — often biting into them like vampires starved for blood."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...The Steep Theatre Company has long proved its mettle at bridging cultural behavior alien to our yankee experience, but since the laments of four unhappy lovers are necessary to set up the happy ending for the last two, we must endure nearly an hour of shallow ranting before we emerge to the wisdom of seeking satisfaction in your job, letting Cupid fly at his own pace, speaking your mind, following your bliss, etc. Even with a running time of only 80 minutes, that's a lot of rain before the sunshine."
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"... The actors are wonderful at playing characters whose public lives as teachers force their intense emotional lives into too-small spaces already crowded with abandoned dreams and disillusioned ideals. And yet, though the play promises nothing, it does hint that hoping for better lives, lived full in the sun, is not unwarranted."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"... Her performance, as well as those of Alex Gillmor and Julia Siple in the second of the play’s three scenes, almost makes up for the fact that Eldridge’s characters have very little depth and say not very interesting things. Siple and Gillmor play a “slut” and “wimp,” respectively, having an unsuccessful one-night stand. The actors work wonders with the darkly comic scene by playing it straight, but there’s only so much they can do with dialogue that boils down to name-calling. Things take a turn for the drippy in the final playlet, which shows an older couple taking tentative steps toward romance before marveling at the clear blue sky, presumably to justify the play’s title. This cast deserves better."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"... Playwright David Eldridge keeps his teachersaway from any possibleteacher-student improprieties rather he focuses on how a teacher’scareer can be soconsuming that personal choices suffer. We understand and empathizewith thesesixcharacters. You’s be hard pressed to find more truthful and emotionally drenching actingthattheses six presented. Steep Theatre sure has an ensemble of talented players. Under the Blue Sky demonstrates their skills."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...Under the Blue Sky is what happens when the chalk dust settles. Steep has a poignant faculty for human drama. Under the Blue Sky captivates with Grade-A performances."
