Review: Sometimes You Get Stuck BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Parts of the plot of Between Riverside and Crazy reflect events and situations very similar to those happening in society today. At times they are so close to home that you could feel a sense of unease in the audience. These elements ring true but don't always have enough strength to sustain the story.

Between Riverside and Crazy, Stephen Adly Guirgis' 2015 Pulitzer Prize winning drama, concludes Steppenwolf Theatre Company's current season. Guirgis story tells the tale of ex-cop, "Pops" Washington, and his ex-con son, Junior, as they struggle to stay in their rent-stabilized Manhattan apartment. While waiting for a resolution to a pending lawsuit that Pops has against the police department, he sees a steady stream of houseguests occupy his home and time.

For each moment where the story connects, there is one that does not. While we long to find out what may happen for Pop, the minor plots are not as engaging. Though they serve to move the main story, we are left with characters who feel underdeveloped and at times, simply uninteresting.

Under the direction of Yasen Payankov, the cast is strong, skilled, and find moments in a script that has its challenges. Eamon Walker, a star of NBC's Chicago Fire, portrays Pop with energy, humor, and honesty. He shapes a character that you can root for, laugh and cry with, and finds genuine moments of sincerity.

Victor Almanzar's both charming and intense portrayal of Oswaldo leaves us wanting more of his character. Audrey Francis hits all the right notes as Detective O'Connor. The challenges her character faces and the choices she is forced to make, along with her scene work with Walker, are definite highlights. Lily Mojekwu's church lady is a breath of fresh air in act two and her scenes are full of surprises. The rest of the cast, while solid, are less engaging more so due to what the are given by Guirgis.

Collette Pollard's set drops us into a sprawling apartment that you truly sense was quite the showcase in its day. The reveal of a rooftop is signature Steppenwolf and one of the many reminders of why it's a joy to see shows there.

Between Riverside and Crazy may really speak to some and there are moments that do make it worthwhile. However, the unsatisfying ending leaves us with less to discuss about this actual story, but more about the moments that fit into today's headlines.

Between Riverside and Crazy plays through August 17th at Steppenwolf Theatre Company 1650 N. Halsted in Chicago. Curtain times are Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm and Wednesdays matinees at 2pm on August 3, 10 and 17. There are no Sunday 7:30pm performance on August 7, 14 and 21. Tickets are available at steppenwolf.org or (312) 335-1650.

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Need more Chicago Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...