Review: The Children at Steppenwolf (Through June 9, 2019)

Three nuclear engineers are dealing with the aftermath of a disaster at a nuclear plant. Hazel and Robin have been together for 38 years and have four children. They decided to move further away from the plant. Rose dated Robin before Hazel and has been having an affair with him. She has just returned from America after having living there for many decades.

The ads for this show and the title are a bit misleading. There aren’t any scenes at the nuclear plant and they never wear gas masks. Also, there aren’t any children in the play. They are only spoken about. The story is actually about these three engineers and their relationships to each other and how they will respond to this disaster. It’s a roller coaster of emotions as they struggle with their decisions.

Ora Jones (Familiar, The Roommate) is excellent as Rose, who has a very big proposal for the couple. Janet Ulrich Brooks (Native Gardens, Pipeline) is great as Hazel, who is very suspicious of Rose. Lastly, Yasen Peyankov (A Doll’s House, Part 2) is superb as Robin, who is holding on to many secrets. All together they make a great cast who play off each other very well.

The set, designed by Chelsea M. Warren, is fantastic. It’s a house cut in half on the edge of a cliff, which gives the production a sense of impending disaster. The sound design by Andre Pluess also adds to creating this dangerous atmosphere.

Get tickets now for The Children through June 9th!

Cost of a ticket: $70
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price +
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney