A DICKENS CAROL
Chicago Reader: Ned Crowley’s clever holiday play, receiving here its world premiere at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, weaves moments from Charles Dickens’s life into the fabric of his most famous holiday story to create a wholly entertaining show that’s part parody, part po-mo romp, part ripping yarn. Directed and starring Kevin Theis, the production is packed with lots of special effects (music, lights, elaborate set pieces, and a great deal of stage haze), though these take a back seat to Crowley’s witty dialogue and strong storytelling as well as to Theis’s 13-member ensemble, who deliver top-of-the-line performances. Theis himself kills as a larger-than-life Dickens who finds himself living the life of Scrooge, hating the world, totally absorbed by his work, and unexpectedly forced to reflect on his life by a succession of visiting spirits. —Jack Helbig
Windy City Times: “Dickens was dead, to begin with,” proclaims the conductor employed by London’s South Eastern Railway—and yes, you heard that correctly.
What distinguishes Crowley’s narrative from the usual makeovers promulgated by Caroler-wannabes is the scholarly acumen reflected in its composition—industry forging a parallel universe described in language conflating that of the familiar tale with the events providing the inspiration therefor. For example, Dickens is fond of saying “Poppycock!” but upon hearing someone utter “Humbug,” declares that he will adopt it for the misanthropic protagonist of his upcoming novella.
There are abundant chuckles to be mined from Crowley’s cheeky sleight-of-diction, but while director Kevin Theis makes no attempt to stifle them, neither does he allow them to escalate into guffaws. The cast and technical team assembled for this world premiere production likewise walk the line between parody and homage with never a misstep to manufacture a fantasy brimming with both the comfort of recognition and the joy of discovery. – Mary Shen Barnidge
Dickens is buried in the wreckage and, while unconscious though not badly injured, he experiences a rejuvenating dream in which a series of ghosts take him on a wild ride through his past, the present and what his life will be like if he stays on the same cranky, irritable path.
When he comes to, the novelist is inspired to write about Scrooge and his Christmas Eve adventures with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. From this potentially disastrous night we see Dickens experience a change of heart that leads to writing his celebrated holiday novella, which continues to delight.
With their talent and enthusiasm, the entire cast immediately brings this production to life. Theis is dynamic and sympathetic. Even when he seems at a low point, being crabby and argumentative, we feel sympathetic to the pressures he endures. – Doug Deuchler
THE SEAFARER
“FOUR STARS – [Kevin] Theis’ Satan-in-a-suit Mr. Lockhart makes a better fit in some ways with the grungy world of Sharky and Richard than Irwin’s self-possessed and L.A.-slick soul-claimer did at Steppenwolf. Theis plays Lockhart with the same hair-trigger temperament and hint of self-loathing that coats all these characters as surely as nicotine and years of assorted filth cling to the walls of Joe Schermoly’s claustrophobic set. This paradoxically makes the ending even more believable.” – Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune
“RECOMMENDED! It is Sharky’s reckoning with the devil that stokes the fire here, with Waller as the tragically lost soul and Theis, chilling in his coldness, supplying McPherson’s scorching description of hell.” – Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
“RECOMMENDED- McPherson supplies a kind of provisional redemption that feels more earned and far more genuine than what you’ll find in most entertainment options this time of year. Matt Miller’s fine staging for Seanachai Theatre Company is beautifully acted.” – Chicago Reader
“Played well by veteran actor Kevin Theis, the devil here is commanding when he needs to be and weak when the script calls for it. Pitted against Satan is the deeply flawed Sharky. Waller puts in just the right amount of vulnerability. The play is at its best when stripped down to just those two actors.” – New City Chicago
AMADEUS
“Hypnotic and gutting…Kevin Theis is a reason unto himself to make the trip.” – Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune
“Theis is particularly fine as Salieri, embodying all that’s dark and bright in this deeply conflicted character.” – Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader
“It takes an artist of fortitude and nuance to contend with Shaffer’s slavish verbiage and to bring Salieri’s tortured memories to life without gnashing the scenery into splinters. Theis pulls it off in a bravura turn.” – Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun-Times
“Kevin Theis is outstanding in the massive role of Salieri…[commanding] the stage for the play’s nearly 2½-hour running time. His range is astonishing, running the gamut from disbelief to outrage to revenge.” – Doug Deuchler, Oak Park Wednesday Journal
SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME
Joseph Jefferson Nomination: Principal Actor in a Play
“Kevin Theis, as the mercurial Edward, is just simply brilliant.” Leah Zeldes, Chicago Theatre Beat “”Someone ” allows the onstage threesome ample opportunity to flesh out an affecting portrait of comradeship and compassion in the worst of circumstances.” – Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune
“Edward, the Irish prisoner, is a feisty journalist who has an estranged wife and children back home. He’s played by Kevin Theis, who fully inhabits this passionate role.” – Doug Deuchler, Oak Park Wednesday Journal
RICHARD III
“Richard is the show — and in director Belinda Bremner’s staging for Oak Park Festival Theatre, Kevin Theis knows it.”Richard III” succeeds mostly as a satisfying, if not transcendent, showcase for Theis.” – Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune
“Undeniably, irresistibly charming…Theis sinks his fangs into the line as if he were relishing the first bite of a bloody steak.” – Catey Sullivan, Chicago Theatre Beat
“This performance of Richard III is better than Chicago Shakespeare’s. Theis is electric.” – Ken Trainor, Oak Park Wednesday Journal
“Kevin Theis as Richard, the scheming, murdering, seducing slimeball who makes his way through several members of his own family to get to the throne…Theis delivers the villainous goods.” – Centerstage Chicago
“[Theis] puts his considerable talents to the test in the title role and captures his villainous character’s manipulative personality in all its complexity.” – Chicago Sun-Times
FAITH HEALER
“[This] stellar cast nails the harsh but humane qualities of Friel’s tale with performances that haunt the mind long after the light fades.” – Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune
“The moment Theis takes the stage, his presence fills it up. [He] captivates the audience, keeping them hanging on his every word… a fantastic display of theatrical talent.” The Chicago Seen
“Kevin Theis is at once charming and chilling as the inspired, crazy, ultimately self-destructive title character.” – Chicago Reader “Theis easily charms us with his honest, yet jumpy performance…I can’t think of a finer work of pure storytelling.” – Chicago Critic
