“Some of the Best Acting I’ve Seen All Year”
Haven’t you heard? Big White Fog is beloved by critics and audiences alike! Theodore Ward’s South Side masterpiece, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson, is a tale of hope, love, despair, family, and clashing ideologies. Funded by the Federal Theatre Project in 1938, Big White Fog highlighted subversive ideologies of its time, such as Garveyism and communism; was actively suppressed for many years; and was the blueprint for iconic plays to come, like A Raisin in the Sun.
Read what reviewers are saying below and experience this rare theatrical marvel for yourself. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at (773) 753-4472.
“Director Ron OJ Parson’s staging, which employs some 17 actors, sure opened my mind to this play…stocked with superb actors…What a compelling project and what vibrant life here is given to a mostly lost Chicago play! Ward insisted on this play premiering not on the South Side but downtown in the Loop. He wanted the widest, most interracial audience possible. The play, and this new production in Hyde Park, deserve the same.”
— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, ★★★★ (of four)
“The performances are some of the best acting I’ve seen all year.”
— Chicago Sun-Times, ★★★1/2 (of four)
“Ward’s sharply realized portrait of a Black family in crisis on multiple fronts largely succeeds on both personal and political grounds, and Parson’s stellar ensemble helps us cut through the fog of history to see how much it resonates today.”
— Chicago Reader, Reader Recommended
“Court Theatre has opened its 2025/26 season with a thunderclap: Theodore Ward’s Big White Fog directed with remarkable sensitivity and vigor by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson…this is not an artifact of theatre history; it is a living work, pulsating with relevance for an America once again convulsed by inequality, polarization, and disillusionment. The cast assembled for this production is outstanding….Court Theatre has given Chicago audiences a gift in reviving Theodore Ward’s masterpiece.”
“Parson’s remarkable talent for seamlessly intertwining a captivating narrative with a talented ensemble of 17 actors is truly a testament to his unwavering dedication to the art of theatre. Each moment on stage is a mesmerizing experience, reflecting his profound commitment to bringing the playwright’s vision to vibrant life. The entire cast delivered remarkable performances…The decision to produce ‘Big White Fog’ is a bold and commendable one”
— Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews
“An engaging and thought-provoking production that tackles themes of hope, sacrifice, and the enduring struggle for a better life. It poignantly reflects on the challenges of pursuing grand ideals in the face of personal tribulations.”
“The seventeen-player ensemble is exactly that—an actor’s ensemble to the end. They feed off each other well, and each leaves a strong, individual mark.”
“Parson’s captivating production draws us into all the political and ideological discussions while allowing the characters to emerge as compelling individuals.”
“Excellent cast and superb direction”