The Chicago Conspiracy Trial

Times review: Read the Times' Theater Beat review

Daniel Arden Studio City, CA

The LA times review is absurd. This play/recreation is nothing if not engaging. The night I was there one audience member was so involved in the action on stage that when one of the defendants was being beaten on the floor right in front of her by a marshal she started hitting him with her cane! I've never seen the line between theatre and reality so blurred before. This is an evening that exposes not only the truths of America in the 60s but also of our current situation with focus, passion and a brilliant cast. This reviewer should find a different trade

M. Curtis Culver City, CA

I saw this production opening weekend and when I read the review printed by the Times I couldn't help but wonder what show the critic was watching. If by 'laborious' it was meant to imply that the actors poured every ounce of passion onto the stage, I agree. If not, it would seem that the review was written by someone who embodies the apathy the eight defendents so ardently fought against. Also... to say that it is laborious as an act of pure theatre misses the essential truth that this is NOT pure theatre. This really happened and it shouldn't be easy to sit through - few worthwhile endeavors of the mind and soul are.