What We're Up Against presented by Compass Theatre at Raven Theatre

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...As Eliza tries and fails to enlist the help of Janice (Denise Hoeflich), the only other woman architect, Rebeck cleverly anatomizes the divide-and-conquer mind-set of internalized misogyny. In Weber (Jeff Kurysz), the hotshot hired after Eliza, she also creates a perfect snapshot of every mediocre bullshitting "visionary" man who believes "mingy" detail work is beneath him but might be just fine for women. Sometimes Rebeck's narrative flirts with being preachy, but for the most part it's funny and enraging in all the right ways."

Windy City Times - Highly Recommended

"...Until our consciences re-awaken, though, Compass Theatre delivers a thrilling gladiatorial match, replete with intrigue, betrayals and double-crosses. Director Lauren Shouse has assembled a nimble cast featuring the formidable Echacka Agba, who delves Rebeck's occasional overly-broad characterizations for subtextual nuance ( watch her in a wordless moment by the water cooler ). Ted James, Denise Hoeflich and Jeff Kurysz likewise portray Rebeck's casualties-of-war with a light touch ultimately engaging our empathy, in sharp contrast with Charlie Strater's loathsomely solipsistic Stu."

Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended

"...What We’re Up Against is artfully staged by director Lauren Shouse. The excellent cast and crew of this new company include many Chicago theater veterans, including Echaka Agba as Eliza, the ambitious architect; and Denise Hoeflich as Janice, her female colleague. Shouse guides the cast of five briskly through a series of scenes set in the offices and conference rooms of this firm, as the participants work through the details of the two projects that are consuming their time. Oh, and a greet deal of drinking gets done. Everyone seems to have a bottle (scotch, vodka) and they drink it straight up."

Picture This Post - Highly Recommended

"...In this writer's view, lesser hands managing this tie-it-up-with-a-bow type script could easily fumble. Director Lauren Shouse seems to know she has top tier talent to work with--- the casting choices-all-- seeming to be the first master stroke. Agba fans will not be disappointed. She creates her character so completely that by the end of her first scene we feel like we've known her for ages. How perfect that Shouse positions Agba in the shadows during many scene changes as an observer - where her high heeled boot physical presence alone dominates and tells us this is herstory unfolding. Similarly, Kurysz creates his suck-up Webber character so convincingly that we know even he knows he's full of it."