Titus Andronicus
by William Shakespeare
featuring John C. Reilly
Organic Theatre, Chicago
director
Thomas Riccio, the artistic director of the Organic Theatre, says he wants to bring performance art and traditional theatre closer together. He envisions a hybrid art form that will rely more heavily on visual images and symbolism, and provide an alternative to the naturalism that dominates Chicago stages.
Riccio's production of Titus Andronicus displays his fondness for performance art. It's a high-concept show full of arresting images ...anyone who sees this production will never forget Titus Andronicus. Riccio strives relentlessly for speed and energy. The images he has created for this production are certainly exciting, and they often elicit a visceral response for the audience.
The Chicago Reader
Updating this season-opener with modern dress, and more important, modern weapons, Riccio sees in Titus Andronicus the story of a straight-shooting Roman soldier who discovers that his emperor is a fraud and all his bravery went to prop up an ungrateful popinjay--the same impatience with results and the moral obfuscation of, well, today ...Of course there is always the possibility this Organic production could become a could classic. That may not be what Riccio had in mind, but if it fills seats...
The Windy City Times
