“Lottery Day”

[rating=4]Neighborhoods change! This is a fact of life! Having spent over 60 years ( I won’t say how many over) in Chicago, I have witnessed so many changes, I can’t keep up with them. The question that arises in Ike Holter’s newest play, “Lottery Day” is “Do changing neighborhoods, change people”? or “Do people change neighborhoods”. Gentrification will continue to happen and Holter hits the nail on the spot with this, his concluding play of his seven-play series, “Rightylnd Saga”. And what a story!

“Lottery Day” sharply directed by Lili-Anne Brown brings us to a backyard in an area that is going through gentrification. The set by Arnel Sancianco appears very realistic, with her older home overshadowed by the brand new, very modern home next door. A true sign of the changes that are taking place. If one drives down to the Wicker Park area of the city, one will see exactly what is depicted on the stage of the Goodman’s Owen Theatre.

Today is a special day ,Mallory ( an incredible performance by J. Nicole Brooks), the Matriarch of the “block” is planning a special bar-b-que. Her “friend”, Avery ( as always, the perfect James Vincent Meredith), will do the cooking. Avery was her late husband’s best friend and is the handy-man for the block. The other invitees are characters from the other plays as well as some new ones. They are people with “stories” that during this two hours-twenty minutes, will be revealed to us all. They are starving artists, lonely residents and a host of people who in one way or another have been “touched” by Mallory during their lives.

At the onset of the play, Mallory hides some items and is very gleeful about what she is preparing to do. What we find out is that she has planned a game day surprise where one of her guests will win the “lottery” and get a fistful of money. As we meet the cast of characters, all played to perfection, we watch how they react to the “contest” and the search, as well as to each other and of course, their love for Mallory.

Even the wealthy neighbor, Vivian ( a solid portrayal by Michele Vazquez) who in fact does not need any money, ends up getting invited to the party. She is a loner, living on the losses of those losing their homes to gentrification, and as we learn later in the play, she takes what she wants to cover that which she has lost. All of these characters have bright sides to go along with their downers, and we witness a lot of drugs and booze during this epic story-telling experience.

The other cast members ( I guess, the ensemble, as this could easily be considered an ensemble piece) are: Aurora Adachi-Winter, Sydney Charles, McKenzie Chinn, Robert Cornelius, Tony Santiago , Pat Whalen and the incredible,Tommy Rivera-Vega. WOW!

While there is an “intermission” during this production, the actors do not leave the stage and they continue to pary ( hearty) during this period. If you saty, you will see some puzzle parts that the others will not get. The tech aspects of the production are flawless. Samantha C. Jones does great costuming, the lighting by Jason Lynch, sound by Andre Pluess and whoever handled the props, you did a great job. The entire production is stage- managed by Nikki Blue and while the Stage Manager is a behind the scenes job, they are the person who keeps the low on course, and we should give credit where credit is due- wonderful work!

“Lottery Day” will continue at The Goodman Theatre located at 190 N. Dearborn Street thru April 28th with performances as follows:

Tuesday ( 4/16) 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinée on 4/25

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  2 and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.(except no evening the 14th and 28th)

Tickets range from $15-$49 and can be purchased at the box office, by calling312-443-3800 or online at www.GoodmanTheatre.org/LotteryDay:

For discounts call the box office or check out www.GoodmanTheatre.org where you can also find the schedule of access and discussion performances

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