2011-2012 Season
WTC View by Brian Sloan
directed by Michael Rashid
Michael Rashid directs the Chicago premiere of WTC View for Project 891 Theatre Company to great affect. With an engaging cast, lead by Ron Popp as Eric, it comes to pass that the story has less to do with jet planes crashing into buildings then it has to do with the more universal story of how those left behind deal with death.
Showbiz Chicago
There is a real danger for a play on this subject to degrade into cheap melodrama, but WTC View never does. It offers a balanced perspective on serious emotional issues and even some good laughs, making this Project 891 production definitely worth a view.
Chicago Theater Beat
A good cry is not director Michael Rashid's goal. Sloan's characters serve to illustrate the steps leading to recovery from sudden loss, the actors portraying our damaged survivor's rescuers likewise emphasize the roll-up-your-sleeves-and-deal-with-it kind of resiliency
Windy City Times
directed by Michael Rashid
Michael Rashid directs the Chicago premiere of WTC View for Project 891 Theatre Company to great affect. With an engaging cast, lead by Ron Popp as Eric, it comes to pass that the story has less to do with jet planes crashing into buildings then it has to do with the more universal story of how those left behind deal with death.
Showbiz Chicago
There is a real danger for a play on this subject to degrade into cheap melodrama, but WTC View never does. It offers a balanced perspective on serious emotional issues and even some good laughs, making this Project 891 production definitely worth a view.
Chicago Theater Beat
A good cry is not director Michael Rashid's goal. Sloan's characters serve to illustrate the steps leading to recovery from sudden loss, the actors portraying our damaged survivor's rescuers likewise emphasize the roll-up-your-sleeves-and-deal-with-it kind of resiliency
Windy City Times
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Our Leading Lady by Charles Busch
directed by Michael Rashid
This is an unusual and unexpectedly funny play, light-hearted and yet historically provocative, pulled off with a wry smile and a wink.
Chicago Theatre Beat
Like Keene 154 years before, director Michael Rashid has inspired the best and the most (Hoffman almost turns into a Wagnerian harridan as the cracked belle Verbena) from a crackerjack cast. Highly Reccomended."
Chicago Stage Style
Under Michael Rashid's nimble direction for the Project 891 Theatre Company, an ensemble led by the stately Mary Anne Bowman in full diva mode as Laura Keene... retain their dignity with never a giggle or wink, even when engaging in cat-spats and chases (rendered even more uproarious by the combatants' voluminous hoopskirts).
Windy City Times
directed by Michael Rashid
This is an unusual and unexpectedly funny play, light-hearted and yet historically provocative, pulled off with a wry smile and a wink.
Chicago Theatre Beat
Like Keene 154 years before, director Michael Rashid has inspired the best and the most (Hoffman almost turns into a Wagnerian harridan as the cracked belle Verbena) from a crackerjack cast. Highly Reccomended."
Chicago Stage Style
Under Michael Rashid's nimble direction for the Project 891 Theatre Company, an ensemble led by the stately Mary Anne Bowman in full diva mode as Laura Keene... retain their dignity with never a giggle or wink, even when engaging in cat-spats and chases (rendered even more uproarious by the combatants' voluminous hoopskirts).
Windy City Times
2010/2011 Season
Entertaining Mr. Sloane by Joe Orton
Directed by Ron Popp
"As refreshing as it is dangerous" Chicago Theatre Blog
"8 out of 10. Solid and entertaining" Chicago Theatre Addict
"Highly Reccomended" New City Stage
Directed by Ron Popp
"As refreshing as it is dangerous" Chicago Theatre Blog
"8 out of 10. Solid and entertaining" Chicago Theatre Addict
"Highly Reccomended" New City Stage
The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry
Directed by Jason W. Rost
★★★★
One of the Top 25 Shows of 2010
“Should a Jewish Christmas tree be topped with a star? That argument launches The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Alfred Uhry’s delectable examination of Southern Jewish culture in the mid-20th century, now playing in anearly perfect site-specific production at Edgewater’s historic, 1914 Gunder Mansion”
Chicago Theater Blog
“ Compelling. . Rost’s site-specific staging in Edgewater’s former Gunder Mansion feels perfectly old-society and makes remarkably clever use of depth and sightlines.
Time Out Chicago
Directed by Jason W. Rost
★★★★
One of the Top 25 Shows of 2010
“Should a Jewish Christmas tree be topped with a star? That argument launches The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Alfred Uhry’s delectable examination of Southern Jewish culture in the mid-20th century, now playing in anearly perfect site-specific production at Edgewater’s historic, 1914 Gunder Mansion”
Chicago Theater Blog
“ Compelling. . Rost’s site-specific staging in Edgewater’s former Gunder Mansion feels perfectly old-society and makes remarkably clever use of depth and sightlines.
Time Out Chicago
2009/2010
Epic Proportions by Larry Coen and David Crane
Directed by Ron Popp
"Project 891’s slapstick ode to the biblical movie epic is intentionally short on production values but long on charm. Its “hey kids, let’s put on a show” aesthetic rivals the glorious cheesiness of the original productions themselves."
New City Stage
"...the nine actors who play the movie’s “cast of thousands” commit completely to the ridiculousness—with infectious energy. Every moment is dialed up to 11."
Time Out Chicago
"Project 891, a newer Chicago theatre company who focuses on lesser known and undiscovered plays, tackles the gladiatorial task of staging PROPORTIONS in Chemically Imbalanced Theatre's teeny tiny space. With swords, spears, and one-liners flying, it's a space which highlights the skilled cast's comedic slapstick timing as a story unfolds about the greatest Hollywood epic never completed."
Broadwayworld.com
Directed by Ron Popp
"Project 891’s slapstick ode to the biblical movie epic is intentionally short on production values but long on charm. Its “hey kids, let’s put on a show” aesthetic rivals the glorious cheesiness of the original productions themselves."
New City Stage
"...the nine actors who play the movie’s “cast of thousands” commit completely to the ridiculousness—with infectious energy. Every moment is dialed up to 11."
Time Out Chicago
"Project 891, a newer Chicago theatre company who focuses on lesser known and undiscovered plays, tackles the gladiatorial task of staging PROPORTIONS in Chemically Imbalanced Theatre's teeny tiny space. With swords, spears, and one-liners flying, it's a space which highlights the skilled cast's comedic slapstick timing as a story unfolds about the greatest Hollywood epic never completed."
Broadwayworld.com
Never The Sinner by John Logan
Directed by Michael Rashid
"Ron Popp and Matt Hays are engrossing as Leopold and Loeb--simultaneously creepy and sympathetic as they chart the lovers' shifting dynamics of dominance and submission"
Chicago Reader
"An evening of first rate theatre. It’s Rashid’s design team......with stunning, gray-scale costumes from Liz Hoffman and eerily opulent filmic backdrops by Jim Vendiola—whose stark vision unites the evening into a gorgeous, coherent whole."
Time Out Chicago
"The performances are the greatest power of the production. Matt Hays (Richard Loeb), Ron Popp (Nathan Leopold), Gary Murphy(Clarence Darrow), and Robert Kaercher (Robert Crowe) are its four pillars. Each actor has been cast with precision."
Chicago Theater Blog
Directed by Michael Rashid
"Ron Popp and Matt Hays are engrossing as Leopold and Loeb--simultaneously creepy and sympathetic as they chart the lovers' shifting dynamics of dominance and submission"
Chicago Reader
"An evening of first rate theatre. It’s Rashid’s design team......with stunning, gray-scale costumes from Liz Hoffman and eerily opulent filmic backdrops by Jim Vendiola—whose stark vision unites the evening into a gorgeous, coherent whole."
Time Out Chicago
"The performances are the greatest power of the production. Matt Hays (Richard Loeb), Ron Popp (Nathan Leopold), Gary Murphy(Clarence Darrow), and Robert Kaercher (Robert Crowe) are its four pillars. Each actor has been cast with precision."
Chicago Theater Blog
