Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...All that said, a formula is a formula, and the best parts of “Yasmina’s Necklace” flow when the work steps away from that schema, when it feels the most local to Chicago and when it really personalizes its characters. You know, when they feel messier, more real and less like stand-ins in service of a binary structure."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Malik is a stylish, accessible writer who can mix poetic angst with comedic manners (the scenes with tea and cake are priceless). And Filmer, artistic director of Berwyn’s 16th Street Theatre (where she previously directed the world premiere of this play on its smaller stage), has cast the show impeccably, and orchestrated its shifting moods with skill. The actors are at once larger-than-life and winningly nuanced in their performances.x
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Director Ann Filmer, who helmed the world premiere last year at 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, expertly balances the play's pathos and humor in what is an earnest, insightful production."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...The story, about a talented Iraqi refugee grappling with her past, is the perfect vehicle for Susaan Jamshidi, an actor equally adept at comedy and serious drama—though Malik’s gift for dialogue and storytelling practically guarantees Jamshidi won't be the last actor to shine in this role. None of the play’s intimacy is lost in the Goodman’s considerably larger performing space, and Filmer's crisp direction ensures that none of Malik’s points get blunted."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...The cast assembled for this remount of the premiere production at Berwyn's 16th Street Theatre deftly navigates the swift tonal changes demanded of Malik's savvy and stereotype-free script. Repeating their roles under the direction of Ann Filmer are Susaan Jamshidi and Micheal Perez as the cautious lovers, along with Laura Crotte and Amro Salama as the latter's appropriately clueless dam and sire, joined by Rom Barkhorder as Yasmina's loyal, but likewise befuddled, dad and Allen Gilmore as their wise and sympathetic African-American Imam, himself all too familiar with the troubles arising from interethnic tensions."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...While this story sounds dark and emotional, it is delivered at times with light humor, which I believe gives the story its relatable edge. It isn't the problematic Muslim stereotype we see, but loved ones, friends - human beings - struggling with the hand they were dealt and trying to move on. A story that shows us we can go through horrific moments, we can even strip our own self-identity, but we can find happiness in the end if we are willing to allow it into our lives."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...What makes this latest "new normal" matter are 120 minutes of intense and well-grounded performances that Filmer inspires from all nine actors. Jamshidi's still shell-shocked Yasmina and Perez's sincere if stumbling Sam fight and fit well together, symbolically linked by the ancient Arabic arcade that connects the very different domiciles in Joe Schermoly's deft set design. A surprisingly religious play has found its rightful place under the sun."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Under the brilliant leadership of Ann Filmer, this space has flourished and audiences have taken notice of the special productions she has brought to their stage. One of these productions, “Yasmina’s Necklace” which played at 16th Street in 2016 is now being produced on the stage at The Goodman Theatre (the Owen stage), a much larger venue, which will allow many more to witness the solid writing on Rohina Malik. Many might recall her one woman show “Unveiled” a huge hit where she herself portrayed five Muslim women discussing the “covering of one’s head”. We were also privileged to see this show on several stages."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...Directed with gentle care and a naturalistic energy by Ann Filmer, and staged upon Joe Schermoly’s lovely set that defines both family’s homes, this is a warm, lighthearted play with a powerful, dramatic theme. Costumed by Rachel M. Sypniewski in a lovely, colorfully authentic wardrobe, especially for Sara, the audience feels as if we’re watching real life. Rohina Malik shows us, in this tender comedy, that people are people, sometimes trees without roots, no matter who they are or from where they come. The universality of these five characters and their lives reminds audiences that we’re all cut from the same cloth."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...“Yasmina’s Necklace” had its world premiere last year in suburban Berwyn, where it received a positive critical and audience reception But Berwyn is not on the flight path for many area playgoers so this excellent show never reached an extended audience that resided elsewhere in the metropolitan area. The Goodman Theatre has brought “Yasmina’s Necklace” to its Owen Theatre in substantially the same 2016 staging. The show remains a winner, though only in an insufficient three-week run."
The Hawk Chicago - Recommended
"...A classic romantic contains a number of recognizable characters: the nerdy, only moderately attractive best friend, the love-struck or recently heart-broken ingenue, the classically handsome but probably misunderstood man; of course, all of these characters, traditionally, are white. Yasmina's Necklace takes the Owen Stage at the Goodman Theatre (following a successful run at the 16th Street Theater in Berwyn) and attempts to redefine these stereotypes, using the classic formula with which we are so familiar but featuring two Muslim characters in the leading roles."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...What makes the play so compelling is that everyone can identify with this family situation no matter what their race, religion or ethnicity."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...Yasmina’s Necklace does more than show us Muslims in normal family roles, though just doing that alone is worth a cheer. It is a stark reminder that war infects lives in unseen ways. It is a story about the power of love to overcome deep odds. It is a beautiful, hilarious, painful play that needs to be seen."
Splash Magazine - Recommended
"...The playwright skillfully weaves humor with pathos, although the dialogue and plot revealing both these elements seems a little too pat and contrived; there aren't any real surprises here, and none of the dramatists personae comes out of character. Nonetheless,, match-made-in-heaven stories are thin on the ground these days, as are tales involving respect paid to elders and religious figures. The play is touching and entertaining with real insights into the Moslem culture as well as many genuinely funny moments. Most significantly, we like and care about all these people, no small achievement for a play."
NewCity Chicago - Recommended
"...The brilliance of Malik’s script is that it doesn’t shy away from complexity. Each of her principal characters has an intricate history and a myriad of reasons for doing what they do and each of those stories is shared with the audience. Malik is making a very strong statement: being Muslim is not one thing—being Muslim is many things."
