Displaying items by tag: William Glick
The New Colony’s "Kin Folk" Is A Humorous and Poignant Look into Self-Actualization
Who’s to say how we each should be identified? Whether labeled as a man, woman or even a dragon, those are in fact just that – labels. So why should others tell us how we ought to perceive ourselves? That premise is the foundation in New Colony’s latest production “Kin Folk”, currently being performed at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park. “Kin Folk” is a well-taught lesson on becoming comfortable in our own skin without being influenced towards self-doubt by those who are quick to tell us what we should be.
After losing their parents, three sisters, Lucy, Eleanor and Mary, gather at their suburban family home while waiting for it to sell. Sitting around a dining room table, each mulls about the future. Eleanor discuss her new life as a newly transitioned woman while Lucy and her husband Toby talk of plans to move to Chicago. Toby wants to move near his church where he can become more involved, often inviting Eleanor to his progressive place of worship that doesn’t care who uses what washroom. The talk is light, the banter pleasant and nothing that is really out of the ordinary.
However, the story takes a big turn when, unknown to the rest of the group, it is discovered that Lucy belongs to a community called Otherkin. Otherkin is a group that encourages people to live as their “true self”, identifying as magical creatures such as a dragon, which Lucy declares herself to be. Lucy, now known as Kreeka, befriends Atherin who leads her to meet Blubberwort, a giant gnome who helps guide her even further down her path of self-actualization. She eventually meets a werewolf named Dusk via a community chat room with whom she instantly clicks and quickly confides.
It’s not long before her family discovers her secret, leaving Lucy to make the tough decision of choosing them or her life with Otherkin. Or can she have both?
I really enjoyed the production’s overall theme and its flavor of humor. The journey is a fun one to watch, as the play is laced with the perfect measure of silliness while not going so far over the top that its message becomes diluted. In fact, it is an effective eye opener as to what people may feel inside but are afraid to state publicly. While Eleanor’s story is already compelling as she begins her new life as the woman she knows she has always been, the parallel story line of Kreeka, though a world recognizing themselves as non-human beings, only adds conviction to the fact that we are who we feel we are.
“Kin Folk” offers a lively cast that provides plenty of strong acting performances. Annie Prichard is just wonderful as Lucy/Kreeka and really gets to show off her comedic talent while Chris Fowler also delivers as Toby, displaying a well-rounded performance altogether. Vital components to the success of the show’s humor, Andrew Hobgood (Blubberwort) and Steve Love (Arethin) both get a lot of well-earned laughs in their roles as Otherkin Folk.
Evan Linder does a delightful job directing this play written by William Glick, nicely capturing the essence of each character while delivering Glick’s message with just the right mix of wit and sentiment, making this a summer event to add to your “must do” list. This is a play that is sure to bring out the genie, vampire, fairy or whatever it may be that surfaces within yourself.
“Kin Folk” is being performed at The Den Theatre through August 14th. For tickets and/or more show information visit www.thenewcolony.org.
Celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian Heritage Month with Asian American Arts' EVOLUTION: ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL, May 2 and 3
06 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAsian American Arts Chicago (AAAC) announces the Festival schedule and that tickets are now on sale for EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival, Saturday, May 2 from 12…
Filament Theatre announces world premiere of Farewell Opportunity
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TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home
05 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzTimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway…
Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
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Steppenwolf Theatre Company Announces 2026/27 Season
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TIN DRUM THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF SOUTHERN RAPTURE, JUNE 11 - 28, AT THEATER WIT
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Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents The Golden Girls: The Cheese Pyramid A Lost Episodes Parody – May 8 – June 21, 2026 at The Clutch
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The Gift Theatre announces its 25th Anniversary Season
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Celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian Heritage Month with Asian American Arts' EVOLUTION: ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL, May 2 and 3
Written by Buzz Center StageAsian American Arts Chicago (AAAC) announces the Festival schedule and that tickets are now on sale for EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival, Saturday, May 2 from 12 - 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the historic Lookingglass Theatre’s Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson… -
Filament Theatre announces world premiere of Farewell Opportunity
Written by Buzz Center StageFilament Theatre, the Northwest Side's premier theater for young audiences, is delighted to present the world premiere of Farewell Opportunity from May 2-17, 2026. Commissioned by Filament Theatre in 2019 and written by local Chicago playwright Georgette Kelly, Farewell Opportunity tells the story of Halley, who visits the…
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Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
Written by Buzz Center StageHer Story Theatre has announced the World Premiere of Kurt McGinnis Brown's two-hander THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY, to play March 28 – April 19 at The Den Theatre in Chicago. When young black journalist Xan Smith is assigned to interview the once successful, now…
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TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home
Written by Buzz Center StageTimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway in Uptown. This long‑awaited milestone launches a bold new era for TimeLine, inviting audiences to experience the company’s work in…
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