Displaying items by tag: Jaclynn Jutting
In Mosquitoes, Good Performances Don't Redeem Overblown Script
Playwright Lucy Kirkwood was named “Best Newcomer” when her first play debuted in London in 2009. Her Chimerica played to acclaim all over, including a well regarded production at Timeline Theatre in 2016. Kirkwood’s 2017 Mosquitoes, now running at Steep Theatre, depicts today's societal clashes between advocates of post-Enlightenment rationalism, and the more magical thinkers who resist modernist thought. In current terms, that plays out in things like Climate Change and vaccination debates.
Lest you think this is dry, let me assure you Mosquitoes is quite the play, and director Jaclyn Jutting gives us a lively dramatic production, the clash is acted out in the highly charged relationship between two sisters.
The older one is Alice (Cindy Marker), a research physicist at work on the sub-atomic particle-smashing Hadron Collider, which starts up in Geneva, Switzerland during the play (dating it to 2008). Jenny (Julia Siple, who simply tears up the stage in the role) telemarkets vaginal cancer insurance policies – quite effectively, as she demonstrates by replaying her phone pitch in the second act.
Jenny questions the many things in life dictated by rationalism, including vaccinations. She doesn't get one, then Kirkwood has her come down with a preventible illness. And Jenny thinks the Hadron Collider and its quest for the elusive (and quite theoretical) Higgs bosun particle, is a waste.
“Six billion European for something you can’t even see?” says Jenny, comparing the meeting of two particles to mosquitoes smashing into each other.
In one of the early scenes, Jenny reveals to her sister she is pregnant, and seeks reassurance from her sister Alice – the baby hasn’t been kicking, she fears the worst. Jenny admits she hasn’t had an ultrasound – she has been told that the sound waves can damage an unborn child. Yet when scientific Alice protests that routine ultrasounds are a safe way to show the baby’s status, Jenny resists the rational arguments.
“What I feel as a mother is stronger than facts,” Jenny says. And that conversation, in a nutshell, is the play Mosquitoes. Alice and Jenny love each other, though they don't readily admit it.
But there is much more, as Kirkwood has us live through the lives of these women, and those around them. However it begins to feel interminable by the end of Act 1, which has no hint of intrigue about what comes next.
We meet the girls’ mother, Karen (Meg Thalken) who believes she has incipient dementia, and is bitter about her late husband’s Nobel win, when she did all the research without credit. Thalken is quite good in a sometimes over the top role (though her speech leans toward the geriatric more than to British). We meet Alice’s significant other, Henri (Peter Moore), a scientist at the Hadron Collider who struggles to get people to remember he is Swiss, not French. Moore does a good job in his role.
And we also have Alice’s teenage son Luke. Alexander Stuart is perfectly convincing as this angst-ridden, alienated teen, a high-school kid forced to leave England and struggling socially in Geneva. We have Luke’s one school chum, Natalie (Upasana Barath is endearing), like Luke a transplant who is his empathic friend. The two operate a second play within the play that adds to the length but does little to advance the story.
It is, however, Luke’s relationship with his aunt Jenny, as well as a subplot, that reveals the wealth of emotional strength that a more feeling and less thinking adult offers Luke. It is exactly what he needs.
And finally we have a character playing that elusive subatomic particle, Bosun. Played by Lyn Evans, Bosum steps in at transition points, including one that arrives following a scene that I was thinking would be the end of Act II. Evans seems to loudly declaim all of Bosun’s lines, which erased whatever power Kirkwood might have intended for them. The character is also a metaphorical stylization that added nothing but length to Mosquitoes.
Setting aside the criticisms, there is much good here, and Mosquitoes is Somewhat Recommended, largely on the basis of Julia Siple’s performance. Mosquitoes runs through November 9 at Steep Theater, 1115 W. Berwyn in Chicago.
*Extended through November 16th
GDC Spring Program Eloquently Distills the Vagaries and Splendor of Life Through Dance
07 April 2025 in Dance in ReviewDance performances can often be moving events but rarely do they hold the density, breadth and depth of emotions Giordano…
‘Trial of Themistocles’ Shows Off Best of the Culture of Greece, and Chicago Jurisprudence
05 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewWalking into the Harris Theater for the “Trial of Themistocles,” I was expecting something translated from ancient Greek, togas, masks,…
A Hull Lot of Laughs: Titanique Makes Waves On Stage
02 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewAll hands on deck Titanic fans! Get ready for a lavishly produced musical that boldly reimagines the Titanic story, navigating…
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is Now Playing
02 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreWelcome back to the Moulin Rouge! Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the Tony Award® winning production, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is now playing…
Disney's THE LION KING Returns to Chicago
01 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBy popular demand, Disney’s The Lion King will return to Chicago for the first time since 2023, where the production played a sold-out…
Review: The Listeners at Lyric Opera of Chicago
31 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewTHE LISTENERS has undergone several incarnations since the 2021 novel by Jordan Tannahill. It’s been a full-length movie, a TV…
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS: Spring Concert 2025 - 'Instinct' at Ann Barzel Theater (April 26-27)
31 March 2025 in Upcoming DanceIDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2025 “Instinct” A captivating performance of four distinct works on April 26 & 27…
Dynamic South Chicago Dance Theatre at The Auditorium in one perf only, May 3
26 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago’s Landmark Stage® at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly welcomes back the eclectic energy of hometown favorite South…
Open Space Arts announces staged reading series and a powerful premiere for April through June
26 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts (OSA), who recently won some of the top honors in the Joseph Jefferson Awards for 2024 productions,…
Review: 'it's been ten years since everybody died' at Open Space Arts
26 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’ve reviewed a number of shows at Open Space Arts (OSA) – I love the place – so I’m familiar…
Hell in a Handbag Productions' World Premiere of SCARY TOWN By Artistic Director David Cerda Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass April 9 – May 11, 2025 at The Clutch
25 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2024/25 Season with the world premiere of Scary Town, Artistic Director David Cerda's semi-autobiographical…
Definition Theatre Defines the Crisis: 'Splash Hatch on the E Going Down'
24 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewIn Definition Theatre's production of "Splash Hatch on the E Going Down," Kia Corthron's 1997 work feels unnervingly relevant in…
Kokandy Productions Announces Line-Up for CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL Returning April 3 – 6, 2025 at The Chopin Theatre
22 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreKokandy Productions is pleased to announce the official selections for the annual Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, a celebration and showcase of the…
Hive of Hilarity: Copley Theatre’s 'Spelling Bee' is a Buzzing Triumph!
21 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’m not holding back—Copley Theatre’s latest offering, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is an absolute winner! I’ve seen…
The Search for Truth Turns to War in Oil Lamp’s Outstanding ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’
21 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewDon’t be deceived by the title. The phrase “lifespan of a fact” sounds about as dry as the Mojave Desert…
Disability-inclusive company brings Frankenstein to Chicago Shakespeare Theater
21 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreA.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome…
Invictus Theatre Presents Enchanting Production of The Winter’s Tale
20 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewWalking into Windy City Playhouse, audiences are immediately transported to somewhere new. Scenic Designer Kevin Rofls fills the space with…
Writers Theatre announces 2025/26 season
19 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreArtistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's 2025/26 season. The five-play season is marked by four productions never seen before…
About Face Theatre presents the return of Re/Generation Studio at The Alice at Goodman Theatre March 28-30, 2025
19 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreAbout Face Theatre announces the return of Re/Generation Studio, a weekend of community building, education, and performance to help build the future…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents Broadway's Kelli O'Hara - April 18 & 19, 2025
19 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreFresh off her critically acclaimed and Tony-nominated run in Broadway's Days of Wine and Roses, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Mark Cortale are pleased to present…
Grand Opera that is Truly Grand: La Bohème at the Lyric
19 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewGoing into “La Bohème” with little knowledge of Puccini’s masterpiece, I was just a naive theater-goer seeing it fresh at…
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Returns to Chicago
18 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreCameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that a revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, will play…
Marriott Theatre Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Tony Award-Winning Titanic the Musical - Opening April 16th
18 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicagoland's longest running musical theatre, Marriott Theatre, continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of Titanic The Musical, directed and choreographed by Connor…
Teatro La Plaza teams up with Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance for wonderful production of Hamlet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
16 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewSer o no ser esa es la cuestión We are all familiar with Shakespeare’s iconic line: to be or not…
Announcing CityTalk: A Series of Conversations on Assimilation, Antisemitism and Culture
14 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreTheater Wit, in collaboration with the Crown Family Center for Jewish Studies at Northwestern and Northlight Theatre, hosts CityTalk: A Series of Conversations on Assimilation, Antisemitism…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents THE BOOK OF GRACE - March 27 – May 18, 2025 - Chicago Premiere!
13 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 49th season with the Chicago premiere of The…
Lyric Opera announces 2025/26 season, including major collaborations with Billy Corgan, avery r. young
12 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreLyric Opera of Chicago today announces the company's 2025/26 Season, its first complete season under the leadership of new General…
BEETLEJUICE is Now Playing Through March 16
11 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBeetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice! You’ve summoned him once again, Chicago— BEETLEJUICE is back for another hauntingly hilarious run! The edgy and irreverent Broadway…
The Auditorium proudly presents Parsons Dance One Night Only: Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 PM
11 March 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Auditorium (Chicago’s Landmark Stage® at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents a special evening with Parsons Dance, the New…
The critically acclaimed hit production of Obliteration returns
10 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreObliteration, LLC & The Revival Theater announce a limited engagement of Obliteration, written by Andrew Hinderaker, directed by Jonathan Berry, featuring Michael Patrick Thornton and Cyd Blakewell. Obliteration runs April 10-May 4,…
Latest Articles
-
GDC Spring Program Eloquently Distills the Vagaries and Splendor of Life Through Dance
Written by Mitchell OldhamDance performances can often be moving events but rarely do they hold the density, breadth and depth of emotions Giordano Dance Chicago’s (GDC) Spring engagement encompassed Friday night at the Harris Theater. Part tribute, part commemoration of a milestone, and… -
‘Trial of Themistocles’ Shows Off Best of the Culture of Greece, and Chicago Jurisprudence
Written by Bill EslerWalking into the Harris Theater for the “Trial of Themistocles,” I was expecting something translated from ancient Greek, togas, masks, maybe a chorus, and a scholarly script that would take some work to wade through. Instead I found the latest… -
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is Now Playing
Written by Buzz Center StageWelcome back to the Moulin Rouge! Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the Tony Award® winning production, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.). MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is playing for a limited three-week engagement through April… -
A Hull Lot of Laughs: Titanique Makes Waves On Stage
Written by Ken PayneAll hands on deck Titanic fans! Get ready for a lavishly produced musical that boldly reimagines the Titanic story, navigating it into fresh and unforeseen waters. The story of the "unsinkable" Titanic is one most of us know well—the ship’s…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.