Charles Gardner and David Parkes/Photo: Lara Goetsch
Journalist John Conroy’s laudable coverage of Chicago’s police torture scandal documented unspeakable cruelty as perpetrators went free. Yet the tale loses its impact when brought to the stage.
Otha’s (Charles Gardner) murder interrogation kicks off a three-decade search for justice. We only partially see the effects on the families involved; Otha’s parents (Ora Jones and Trinity P. Murdock) fight for their son’s release but fear it as well. Yet accused torturer Dan Breen (David Parkes) and wife Ann (Danica Monroe) seem to sleepwalk through the prosecution.
There’s a great deal of fat in the narrative; dramatizing context and consequence would return the punch to the story. The cost lacks a before-and-after comparison. We never see Otha’s transformation; Gardner can only take the character from brooding to screaming in sixty seconds. Jones’ breathless frustration is the best example of impact the show offers. The historical emergency of the horror is missing. (Lisa Buscani)
TimeLine Theatre, 615 West Wellington, (773)281-8463. Through July 29.
Related Stories
Saints and Poets: A Review of "Our Town" at Redtwist Theatre In a play that is traditionally set in a small, fictional town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, Redtwist diversifies the cast … It is a keen and interesting perspective on what life might look like if diverse communities were the norm.
A Long Time Coming: A Review of Caroline, Or Change at Firebrand Theatre & TimeLine Theatre Company Firebrand Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company co-produce this stirring revival with book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and music by Jeanine Tesori.
A Woman's World: A Review of The Audience at TimeLine Theatre Company “The Audience” is a play centered around a series of weekly conversations between Queen Elizabeth II (Janet Ulrich Brooks) and her twelve prime ministers at Buckingham Palace
Bait, No Switch: A Review of To Catch a Fish at Timeline Theatre Context is crucial though not enough makes it into this world premiere, based on true events, at TimeLine Theatre.
Weight in Soul: A Review of Too Heavy For Your Pocket at TimeLine Theatre Company A new play from Jiréh Breon Holder moves the needle forward on what theater is capable of.
It Takes Time To Be A Man: A Review of Boy at TimeLine Theatre Company TimeLine Theatre Company's poignant drama addresses the limitations and repercussions of our culture's limited perception of gender.
