“I Do Today”

★★ The “Solo” series that is taking place right now at The Greenhouse Theater Center is one that is getting mixed reviews. Many of the one person performances have been spectacular, while others have been so-so. In many cases, the acting has been superb and the story itself lacking. Tonight’s WORLD PREMIERE of “I Do Today” is such a production. I found Carin Silkaitis wonderful, as she plays a woman of Jewish heritage determined to dig up her “family tree” and look at the history of her life and that of those who preceded her. The one-act/75 minutes of watching her work and write on a mirrored , huge glass board was interesting in parts but may not appeal to as many viewers as one might think.

This is a short play about the smaller pieces of our past and history that can be re-assembled to see what made us do the things we did. There are many that think we all have specific pre-determined destinies. If this is so, this story has some indications that it could be a fact .Written by Sarah Myers and smoothly directed by Jacob Harvey on a wonderful set (Liz Havenga) with extraordinary lighting effects (Matthew Carney), allowing our attention to be held captive for the 75 minutes. We look at relationships, marriages, divorces, family and of course the family tree during this story of her particular life. The character is named ME. Very fitting as it is just her, telling us her story and her history.

There are confusing sections in the story-telling about being a lesbian, or almost a lesbian (is anyone ever almost a lesbian?). Spouses that re-marries after divorce and who and how their other offspring may or may not be connected to ME. I am a laugher (I apologize, but I never laughed out loud during this show, just a few smiles). If the play was meant to be written for the Jewish audience, I am not sure they hit the right spots. The glass of wine poured for Elijah (a Passover tradition) is cleverly handled and the ending is strikingly beautiful because of this reference, but all in all, the Jewish references were not so much mystical as I was led to believe.

There were many audience members who  did laugh, and while I know that friends and relatives do so on an opening night, again, I say that this story will appeal to some people and to others, NOT! If you want to witness this “solo” show for yourself, and I would love to hear from you should you see things differently, it will continue at The Greenhouse Theater Center located at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue (upstairs STUDIO) thru October 9th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m.

Single tickets range from $34-$48 (check on FLEX passes and save money) and can be purchased at the box office, by calling 773-404-7336 or online at www.greenhousetheater.org

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “I Do Today”.