Praise for Ameriville"
“Rich, strong, and arresting... An intensely politicized and energetic performance collage.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“Performance art at its best: unique, pure power with an agit-prop edge. Never preachy, but always compelling, Ameriville fulfills and inspires... So memorable is Ameriville, it leaves less of an impression and more of an imprint.” – Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theater Beat
“With its youthful brio, forward-thinking dramaturgy and out-front politics…the piece is moving, exhilarating, bombastic and badass on its own merits. The performers draw a vivid portrait of post-Katrina New Orleans’s molasses-slow recovery. From there, they expand to encompass some of the major social ills facing the country as a whole, from gentrification to homelessness to fracking, conveying information without ever lecturing. If the picture it paints of our modern country isn’t always pretty, it encourages us to get out our brushes and paint a better one.” – Time Out Chicago
“Deftly weaving humor, song and raw emotion, with an ear for beat poetry and hip-hop, Universes does not shy away from asking uncomfortable questions... Ameriville is sharply poignant, personal and moving.” – Kurt Brighton, Denver Post
Praise for Slanguage:
“Exuberant and insightful…they have created something special, a work of heart and soul that distills the essence of the city." – New York Times
“A headlong explosion of poetry, percussion, and multi-culti musical exploration that absolutely demands to be seen.” – Sandy MacDonald, Boston Globe
“The group's musical sophistication is especially surprising. Blasting through the fractured syntax of New York urban culture, the quintet exhibits the melodic veracity of a seasoned doo-wop group and the contrapuntal percussion of an adroit rhythm section.” – Julio Martinez, Variety
“Call this Stomp for the larynx… Those who have previously dismissed rap and hip-hop as bastardized and anti-intellectual will find Slanguage a captivating glimpse of a much-maligned movement. These eloquent practitioners confirm that modern poetry, so sadly marginalized in recent decades, can still resonate in our contemporary culture.” - Los Angeles Times
Praise for Party People:
“Fast, confrontational, reflective by turns, and packed with music and dance as propulsive as the years when the groups were spawned… Intense, sharply performed scenes alternate with showstopping numbers.” – Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Gate
“An explosive theatrical event… big, bold, bombastic and particularly provocative… engrossing and entertaining, with conflicts unearthed and exhumed in every nook and cranny.” – Ashland Play Reviews
“A high-energy, vibrant, roller coaster ride.” – Ashland Daily Tidings
Praise for Ameriville"
“Rich, strong, and arresting... An intensely politicized and energetic performance collage.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“Performance art at its best: unique, pure power with an agit-prop edge. Never preachy, but always compelling, Ameriville fulfills and inspires... So memorable is Ameriville, it leaves less of an impression and more of an imprint.” – Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theater Beat
“With its youthful brio, forward-thinking dramaturgy and out-front politics…the piece is moving, exhilarating, bombastic and badass on its own merits. The performers draw a vivid portrait of post-Katrina New Orleans’s molasses-slow recovery. From there, they expand to encompass some of the major social ills facing the country as a whole, from gentrification to homelessness to fracking, conveying information without ever lecturing. If the picture it paints of our modern country isn’t always pretty, it encourages us to get out our brushes and paint a better one.” – Time Out Chicago
“Deftly weaving humor, song and raw emotion, with an ear for beat poetry and hip-hop, Universes does not shy away from asking uncomfortable questions... Ameriville is sharply poignant, personal and moving.” – Kurt Brighton, Denver Post
Praise for Slanguage:
“Exuberant and insightful…they have created something special, a work of heart and soul that distills the essence of the city." – New York Times
“A headlong explosion of poetry, percussion, and multi-culti musical exploration that absolutely demands to be seen.” – Sandy MacDonald, Boston Globe
“The group's musical sophistication is especially surprising. Blasting through the fractured syntax of New York urban culture, the quintet exhibits the melodic veracity of a seasoned doo-wop group and the contrapuntal percussion of an adroit rhythm section.” – Julio Martinez, Variety
“Call this Stomp for the larynx… Those who have previously dismissed rap and hip-hop as bastardized and anti-intellectual will find Slanguage a captivating glimpse of a much-maligned movement. These eloquent practitioners confirm that modern poetry, so sadly marginalized in recent decades, can still resonate in our contemporary culture.” - Los Angeles Times
Praise for Party People:
“Fast, confrontational, reflective by turns, and packed with music and dance as propulsive as the years when the groups were spawned… Intense, sharply performed scenes alternate with showstopping numbers.” – Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Gate
“An explosive theatrical event… big, bold, bombastic and particularly provocative… engrossing and entertaining, with conflicts unearthed and exhumed in every nook and cranny.” – Ashland Play Reviews
“A high-energy, vibrant, roller coaster ride.” – Ashland Daily Tidings
