Reviews for Chops
Chicago Tribune – Chris Jones
“…as if 1970s swinging Chicago had suddenly come roaring back to life.”
“An old fashioned attraction with a shot of Chicago history.”
“Rychlewski’s writing is packed with good stuff.”
Chicago Sun-Times – Hedy Weiss
“There is a touch of Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh” in “Chops,” a play in which pipe dreams are the staff of life for at least two of its four characters, all of whom share a passion for the golden days of jazz.”
“Randy Steinmeyer, perfection as a middle-aged man who believes he has gotten lucky”
Dueling Critics 90.9 FM – Jonathan Abarbanel
“A rock-solid world premiere in the hands of veteran director Richard Shavzin and a cast which, for my money, approaches perfection.”
“They really live and breathe these Chicago guys in a way that De Niro and Pacino could envy.”
“Miles of style in the dialogue and the wit and the jazz tales.”
“A really good night out.”
“The treat of seeing Clare Cooney play the clever femme.”
Chicago Theatre Review – Colin Douglas
“(Clare Cooney) continually dazzles.“
“Stunningly researched and passionately written.”
“Randy Steinmeyer is simply sensational.”
“Three of Chicago’s finest veteran actors.”
Chicagoland Musical Theater – Patrick O‘Brian
“Neumann is undeniably compelling.“
“Sullivan pulls off the silver-tongued slickness.“
“Shavzin paces and pares the play down to the bone for maximum lean-and-meanness.”
Chicago Critic – Tom Williams
“Wonderfully written play…a winner.”
“Shavzin’s tight direction makes this 88 minute one-act zing along.”
“This show is a treat.”
NewCity Chicago – Irene Hsiao
“Masterful banter… and seductive admissions from Kaki (Clare Cooney)”
“Utterly absorbing.”
Chicago Theater Beat – Lauren Whalen
“Grant Sabin creates a replica of an aging bar so realistically that I could practically smell
stale beer the minute I walked into the space.”
“Neumann, the collective conscience of the piece, injects gravitas and dark humor into every beat.”
“Sullivan’s Philly is a showman from beginning to end, a sociopathic Harold Hill.”
Around The Town Chicago – Alan Bresloff
“A magical portrayal by Larry Neumann, Jr.”
“A masterful story.”
Chicago Reader – Justin Hayford
“Full of vintage Rush Street.”
“Gobs of colorful stories.”
Buzznews.net – Bill Esler
“Right out of the gate Chops is a winner.”
“Rychlewski captures that ineffable quintessence of Chicago-ese.”
“A success of Mametian proportions.”
The Windy City Times – Mary Shen Barnidge
“This auspicious debut by CPS teacher-turned-playwright Michael Rychlewski fits snugly into the genre launched by David Mamet, whose tales of small-time hustlers continues to define the “Chicago style” of dramatic literature.”
“Playgoers listening closely may detect clues, but who has time to connect the dots when we’re having such an entertaining good time?”
“Clare Cooney’s Kaki oozes sleek sensuality and Daniel Patrick Sullivan’s Philly displays just the right level of nervous sweat.”
