Chicago's theater critics are split on "Sisters," the new world-premiere play at Writers Theatre in Glencoe.
Written by Matthew Libby and directed by Jessica Thebus, the 90-minute production follows a woman named Matilda from age 6 to her 90s as she navigates life with a digital "sister" named Greta, assigned to her by her father. Brenda Barrie plays Matilda alone onstage for the full run, aging through decades using only her voice and body. Chloe Johnston voices Greta entirely as an offstage presence, appearing only at curtain call.
The staging is spare. A single leather club chair sits on a set designed by A. Inn Doo, with Matilda's age projected and a computer the audience never sees.
Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones gave the production two out of four stars on Aug. 24, writing that he "couldn't wait for it to be over and get back out into the fresh August air." Jones found the voiceover approach emotionally distant, comparing it to watching one sophisticated theatrical actress paired with someone voicing an over-articulated audiobook.
The Chicago Sun-Times took a sharply different view. Reviewer Steven Oxman praised Thebus's production as stripped-down and actor-trusting, calling Barrie's performance stunningly subtle and extraordinary. Reviewer Alan Bresloff of Around the Town Chicago went further, predicting a Jeff Award nomination for Barrie.
Libby previously wrote "Data," an off-Broadway play about developers at an AI company. Writers Theatre staged Jordan Harrison's "Marjorie Prime," which explores similar AI-companionship themes, in 2015.
The production is the first of Writers Theatre's 2026-27 season in the intimate 99-seat Gillian Theatre. It runs through Nov. 8.
If you go
What: "Sisters" by Matthew Libby, directed by Jessica Thebus
Where: Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe (free parking; short walk from the Glencoe Metra stop)
When: Through Nov. 8. Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets: $35–$91 depending on performance and seat; verify current pricing at writerstheatre.org or 847-242-6000. Discounts available for veterans, firefighters, police officers, students, educators and their families.
Pay What You Can: Sept. 27 at 7 p.m., Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Accessible performances: Open Caption on Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; ASL-interpreted on Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.
Childcare Matinee: Drop children ages 5–11 at an onsite theatre class ($10/child for subscribers, $15 for single ticket holders) during a Sunday matinee.
Post-show discussions ("The Final Word"): Sept. 27 and Nov. 8 at noon.
