We Are Pussy Riot Reviews

Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended

"...More is more in Hammond's telling, so we veer from Casey Chapman's oily Vladimir Putin to William Rose II's Sergei, a professor imprisoned for protesting Putin who goes on a life-threatening hunger strike—without the benefit of the international attention Pussy Riot received. (The "P.R." in the title carries a double meaning here.) It's sometimes overwhelming and occasionally hard to track, but this bold scattershot approach ultimately asks us to choose between passive reception of protest-art-as-entertainment and being our own agents of acting up for justice."

Chicago Theatre Review- Somewhat Recommended

"...The constant banging of pots and pans without much substance didn’t justify an ending that was handled with such gravitas. We were told not to forget something that we didn’t delve deeply into. I left the theatre in awe of the energy and drive put into the production, but feeling much like I had spend the entire time watching videos on my laptop with a podcast playing on my iPad, while scrolling through Instagram on my phone. The use of multiple voices is only satisfying once all combined to form a shining turn of phrase, but it felt like all of the instruments were shooting off in different directions, tempos, and keys, never leading to a resolve or a culmination. How exhilarating it would have been if all aspects could have matched the standout elements, aforementioned performances and stagecraft, in focused and supported synergy."

Rescripted- Highly Recommended

"...Director Kate Hendrickson uses Red Tape Theatre’s intimate space as a communal square where the public record is laid bare in ferocious fashion. We Are Pussy Riot (or) Everything is P.R. is just as raucous, satirical, and tragic as the group itself."

Third Coast Review- Recommended

"...Hammond’s script is based on transcripts, letters, interviews and media coverage. Hendrickson’s direction usually succeeds in keeping the wild series of events in check enough to capture your understanding. Sometimes the dialogue sound quality is muddy, partly no doubt because of the large space and hard surfaces. Another sound check by sound designer Steve Labedz might mitigate the problem. Scenic design is by Chris Popio, Aaron Arbiter and Hendrickson. The dramatic lighting effects are by David Goodman-Edberg. Movement design is by Charlotte Long. Costumes are by Rachel Sypniewski."

The Hawk Chicago- Recommended

"...If you can keep up with the frenetic pace of the show and appreciate the anthems of Pussy Riot, this show is for you. If you can appreciate a (recent) history lesson with a flavor for the absurd, this show is also for you. Red Tape Theatre will take you exactly where you want to go."

NewCity Chicago- Somewhat Recommended

"...There is a lot of potential in “We Are Pussy Riot,” just as there is in the idea that inspired it. Maybe somewhere in this play’s unique cacophony is a root tone upon which a chord of discord could be effectively built. Then again, the core, unifying idea of Pussy Riot seems to be more like an ax: it is most effective when ground until razor sharp and wielded with ruthless precision. So often, though, it is treated more like dull heavy metal on a stick, swung with impatience to exhaustion."