The Pillowman

[rating=4] Many Chicago theater patrons are unfamiliar with a storefront theater located in Jefferson Park ( The corner of Lawrence and Milwaukee Avenues). This theater, The Gift Theatre Company, has been around since 2001 and over the years has given us sparkling productions in what used to be a shoe store on a very busy corner. Their productions are in fact “gifts” to the Chicago theater scene and although it is small ( I think about 40 seats), and often tight, what they put on the stage is glorious and meaningful.

Their current production is “The Pillowman” written by Martin McDonagh. I think the last time someone did this show in our area was around 1999/2000 at A Redtwist” on Bryn Mawr ( another “storefront”). My memory is pretty strong, but I believe that this current production is longer and adds some scenes that were not in that production. This is a two act play about a writer who writes stories that are for the most part gruesome. He is also the caretaker of his younger brother, who is mentally challenged. They are in a place that we are never sure of, but we are aware that there is a commandant, leading us to know that they are under the control of an authoritarian regime.

The action of the play is about the two brothers being questioned about the murders and disappearance of some children. Katurian , the writer, is played by Martel Manning ( who does so to perfection). His younger brother Michael by Jay Worthington, who is incredible in allowing us to see into the mind of a young man with problems.

The officers are Ariel ( Gregory Fenner) and Tupolski ( an incredible performance by Cyd Blackwell) who are each given their own little stories in this piece that is about their own survival. Smoothly directed by Laura Alcala Baker, this is a strong piece dealing heavily on the emotions of each and every character. The story unfolds slowly and will keep you in suspense. I always avoid giving out endings and surprises, but can tell you that these brothers grew up in a house of horrors. Perhaps that is why Katurian writes his stories- as an escape mechanism.

In the mix, we are given little puppet shows ( to be truthful, I did not recall these in the earlier production) and in the second act, there is an incredible scene where Tupolski tells her own “story” using the blackboard on the stage. This is about 20 minutes and is adorably funny and she truly shines in this scene. The stage area in this tiny theater is very small and narrow, but Lauren Nichols has designed what appears to be a basement that is somewhat decrepit, used for functions that are often brutal to those being questioned or disposed on. The other technical aspects of the production are smoothly handled. Sound ( Jeffrey Levin and Misha Fiksel ), lighting ( David Goodman-Edberg), costumes ( Izumi Inaba), props ( Jillian Gryzlak) and the puppetry by Daniel Dempsey. A special recognition for the violence and intimacy director in this one as Rachel Flesher and Zack Payne truly created some realistic works.

FYI- The first act is 95 minutes and for some audience members, they thought an end to the story, leaving. DO BOT DO SO! Act two truly brings it all together and while it seems a bit awkward at the start, brings the story to a conclusion and also includes the masterful scene as mentioned where Ms Blakewell shines. The second Act is 55 minutes, so your evening will be  almost three hours, but truly a memorable experience.

“The Pillowman” will continue at The Gift Theatre located at 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue thru March 29th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40-$50 (open seating) and are available at 773-283-7071 or online at http://www.thegifttheatre.org

Parking is fairly easy with meters along Milwaukee Avenue and street parking near the library and post office. Meters on some streets end at 6 p.m., so enjoy a “gift” from the city of Chicago.

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