Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The production certainly isn't unique in its blemish-free depictions of women's history. In fact, I empathize with the limitations the play faces: women and queers are disposable in our culture, and if they don't move through the world neatly, they are easy to throw away. Like Justice Ginsburg, When There Are Nine suffers the weight of sexism while embodying many of feminism's shortcomings. In that respect, it is a very true story."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...The casting is brilliant. Talia Langman plays the honorable RBG incredibly! Langman even looks like the late justice, and she nails RBG's contemplativeness and mannerisms to a T. The ease by which she transitions from the RBG of the present moment into the Ruth of the past-and back and forth again-is lovely and never confusing, even with the bare minimum of costume changes. Mostly we see Ruth in her younger years minus her famed glasses, and RBG in her older years wearing them. Gabe Estrada's portrayal of her husband Martin Ginsburg (Marty), with his encouraging manner and kind smile, is done with finesse. The interaction of these two characters could not be any better; their loving relationship is palpable."
WTTW
- Highly Recommended
"...All in all, hers was a life of sorrows, frustrations, disappointments, insults, immense achievements, groundbreaking triumphs and great joys. And many of those most vivid moments from Ginsburg's past are touched on briefly but memorably by Deering, and captured by a cast ideally chosen by Hess."
Third Coast Review
- Recommended
"...There's much to admire about the Ruth Bader Ginsburg story, of course. But Deering's dream play might have included the fun Ginsburg and her fans had with her recent role as a pop culture icon, with videos of the 80+ year old justice working out with a trainer and being displayed as a bobblehead. And her image and lace collar icon appeared on all sorts of merch. The playwright might have included a humorous bit about the celebrification of RBG."
Chicago On Stage
- Recommended
"...Perhaps it's unfair to expect a 90-minute play to provide enough depth about a woman who was so much to so many people. But When There Are Nine, in attempting too much, fails to help us see how effective she was as a justice as well as a young crusader for women's rights and a monumental symbol for women everywhere. It's still a play I can recommend-its powerful coda, especially, is outstanding-but it could have been much more."
Picture This Post
- Recommended
"...Even before her hand firmly grasps the walker cane always at her bedside, we know that the Ruth Bader Ginsburg whom actress Talia Langman now inhabits is the older one near her end date. A hunch of her shoulders, a slight crumple of spine, a neck seeming to be short one vertebra--- Langman IS RBG in her twilight."
Loop North News
- Highly Recommended
"...Deering's script shows Justice Ginsburg's deep concern for the welfare of others and captures the wit and humor for which Ginsburg was known. The play is peppered with moments of Jewish tradition and the influence it played throughout Ginsberg's life."
