Steadstyle Chicago
	May 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	The Walls Part of what makes our Steppenwolf Theatre so special is their outreach programs and the way they work with other theater companies.  They are presently working with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, who as part of their Visiting Company Initiative are presenting the very intense "The Walls" written by Lisa Dillman.  This play is the culmination of a project that took years to develop and was inspired by a book titled "Voices Beyond The Walls: Women of The Asylum", a collection of stories about women who were incarcerated in institutions between 1840 and 1940.  What is being presented at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage is the culmination of many years of research and workshopping to bring these stories to the stage and to make audiences aware of the events that took place during these periods. In "The Walls" we are allowed into the lives of three women's stories during this century and learn about the creativity that exists within many of these people.  Are they sane or are they mad?  How close these two positions may be, and what causes people to be "different".  Megan Carney's solid cast and her direction bring these characters to life in the very intimate Steppenwolf Garage Theater, with a simple but wonderful set by Elvia Moreno, great lighting by Diane D. Fairchild and sound by Chris Kriz. Lacy Katherine Campbell is Carrie, a writer who has taken up interviewing the ladies of the asylum to learn why her mother did what she did.  She is a solid actress who one can feel empathy for.  There are also solid performances by Meighan Gerachis, Tara Mallen, Danica Ivancevic, Ashley Neal, Mark Ulrich, John Zinn and Mierka Girten as Lucy.  Ms. Girten truly makes this character real.  There are a few question marks.  I am not sure about the symbol represented by the puppet, and it appears that the Woman in Yellow represents the closeness between sanity and madness. "The Walls" is an intense, emotional  and educational production. You will have some laughs and you will witness some fine acting under the direction of Ms Carney.  One might call her direction choreographed in the structure of the movement she creates for her characters to move about the stage.  The theater at the Garage has undergone some changes and is far more attractive then before.  For this particular production, there are many pieces of artwork in the lobby area and on the entryway into the theater, some for sale, others not.  These are part of the Awakenings Project (www.awakeningsproject.org) located in the western suburbs where artists who have psychiatric illnesses can develop the talents they have and to make the public aware that there are creative and talented people who live with mental illness.  These are outstanding works of art. "The Walls" will continue through June 20, 2009.  Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m.  Tickets are a mere $20 and can be purchased by calling 312-335-1650 or online at www.steppenwolf.org or www.rivendelltheatre.net.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.