“One of the Great[est] Performances…Ever in Chicago”
An Iliad returns, to rapturous acclaim! Between the striking design, the poetic language, and the urgency of its message, this epic adaptation is nothing short of exquisite. And, despite this being the fourth staging, it remains painfully relevant. Read what reviewers are saying below!
The Poet has returned at precisely the perfect moment, and we would do well to heed his message. Join us for this limited run through Sunday, June 29, 2025.
“★★★★… extraordinarily performed … a candidate for the best solo show in Chicago theater history.”
– Chicago Tribune
“An unsettling triumph. It’s an echo of the past, a commentary on the present and an ominous warning for the future. It was timely in 2011. It’s even more so now.”
– Chicago Sun-Times, ★★★★ (of four)
“One of the great performances presented this year at Court and, dare we say, ever in Chicago.”
“Unimaginably good…The most spellbinding 90-minute display of virtuosic acting that I have ever experienced.”
“One of the most extraordinary, most remarkable performances to grace a Chicago stage….Intimate, riveting, and often breathtaking, Kane’s performance is a tour de force that exquisitely matches Homer’s legendary script. While Chicago has many wonderful actors, it’s unlikely any theatergoer will find the likes of Kane’s portrayal for a very long time to come.“
“Essential viewing”
“It is difficult to imagine a time when this play won’t be bleakly contemporary.”
– Chicago Reader, Reader Recommended
“This is an actor at the top of his game. A solo show lives or dies based on the talent of its performer and in Kane’s capable hands, this one soars. It’s a mesmerizing performance, making this gripping, vital theatre highly recommended.”
“Kane’s larger-than-life, non-stop performance and the creative team’s artistic choices give us an immersive experience, where all of the elements come together to transport the audience to a specific time and place with depth and power…This is a captivating and chilling piece of theater, unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
– Around the Town Chicago (Mark Reinecke)
“Under the masterful direction of Charles Newell, this one-man play becomes a tour de force that resonates deeply with today’s world, bringing the ancient text to urgent, heartbreaking life….It’s a brilliant choice for the Court’s mission of reimagining classic works for contemporary audiences….This is more than a play—it’s an experience, one that lingers long after the house lights come up.”
– Around the Town Chicago (Frank Meccia)
“Rarely has a work of ancient Greek history felt as relevant and powerful as this show. An Iliad is one of the most original, unsettling, and necessary works of ancient storytelling presented for a world that has seemingly forgotten how far we are supposed to have come from our war-torn past.”
“With an exceptional performance and a script full of intrigue, An Iliad is a compelling reminder of theater’s ability to bring both horror and hope.”