Chicago Tribune: Comedy asks: What do you do with the unsaved?
Thanks to some very solid and honest acting under the direction of Shade Murray, you become quite involved in this funky little band of seekers, and invested in their eventual discovery that they need each other more than they think — regardless of any rapture that may await.

Edge Chicago: Review

Edgechicago.com

End Days
by Robert Bullen EDGE Contributor
Friday Nov 6, 2009

Sound designer Nick Keenan has done his homework. This is the first time where I’ve nearly crapped my pants due to a theatrical sound effect.

Keenan, who is responsible for the explosive thunder claps that signal the approaching End of Days in Deborah Zoe Laufer’s aptly titled End Days, should feel mighty content with himself. It’s a powerful moment that makes you want to start repenting on the spot.

Or soil yourself. Either/or.

The rest of End Days, which is receiving its Chicago premiere at Next Theatre Company, doesn’t quite have the gut-punching impact of this moment, but that’s not Laufer’s intention. Rather, her script takes a lighthearted, fresh look into the ideas that make up evangelical religion, physics, the Rapture, and belief in general.

Laufer, herself a science-loving atheist, never lets these big topics overpower, and she achieves this by creating relatable, likeable and flawed characters who are all searching for some sort of meaning. Aren’t we all?

The Steins have moved from Manhattan to an unnamed suburban town, following the events of 9/11. Sylvia Stein (a tightly wound Laura T. Fisher) is a former Jew-turned-atheist who has recently discovered Jesus in a major way, and thinks her family - a depressed, out-of-work husband (William Dick) and a cynical, Goth-wearing teenage daughter, Rachel (Carolyn Faye Kramer) - should, too. Especially since Jesus has told her first hand the End of Days is coming...on Wednesday.

While Sylvia is focused on converting her family and saving the neighborhood, her daughter is being pursued by Nelson Steinberg (the bird-like Adam Shalzi), an endearingly awkward teenager who dresses like Elvis and has developed a major crush on Rachel. During his encounters with Rachel, he loans her a book on physics by Stephen Hawking. The book - and Mr. Hawking himself - have a deep impact on Rachel. In addition, acting like a savior in his own right, Nelson’s eccentric behavior and intense curiosity serves as a catalyst for helping the Steins rebuild their fragmented household.

One of the many bright spots in Laufer’s script is the appearance of Jesus and Stephen Hawking as sounding boards for Sylvia and Rachel’s neuroses. Joseph Wycoff plays both Christ and Mr. Hawking with hip flair, which leads to priceless moments such as Jesus bringing Sylvia a venti Starbucks coffee, to which she replies nonchalantly, "Oh, thank you, Jesus," or, as Hawking, navigating around Andre LaSalle’s off-kilter set in his motorized wheelchair and noting, "Your house isn’t very handicap accessible." However, beyond a sight gag, the use of these two highly respected figures in such a way illustrates that belief - be it science or religion-based - helps us navigate life’s struggles and uncertainties.

The cast, under the assured hand of director Shade Murray, handles Laufer’s quirky script with honesty and straightforwardness. Fully embodying the evangelical side, Fisher is standout as Sylvia. The love she has for her family is apparent, and regardless of your own religious beliefs, you can only empathize as she struggles with the guilt that she might not be able to convert her family before the sounding of the Rapture trumpets.

There are some weak spots. Laufer’s script is rather choppy in the first act and only really finds its footing when the Steins (and Nelson) reluctantly prepare for the End as Sylvia struggles to have them each repent.

Speaking of the end, Laufer seems a bit hesitant about the play’s conclusion. I can count at least two times when I incorrectly thought it was all over. But when it does finally finish, we learn that unexpected miracles do, in fact, happen. You just have to open your heart and your mind.

Pioneer Press: Preview - 'End Days,' examines faith, science and Elvis
The premise is reminiscent of a bad joke: Jesus, Elvis and Stephen Hawking walk into a bar...
But while "End Days" is certainly funny, it's far too outlandishly original to fit into the parameters of a predictably gauche one-liner.

Chicago Critic: New twist on religious fever a humorous fable
Who said religion can’t be funny?... Without being ‘preachy’ or condescending, End Days unfolds as a funny look at the role of faith in human relations. This show is hilarious and healing.

SteadStyle: Review
Faith and Renewal! ... a wonderful theatrical experience.  This is indeed a story of faith, not just in the religious sense, but faith in humanity and in family.

Examiner: O Holy Stephen Hawking? Next Theatre talkback to delve sacred and scientific
A standing savior, a sitting scientist –Who wins the debate in the Stein's fractured household? Wycoff answers with a quote from the Dalai Lama’s book Kindness, Clarity and Insight: "Different medicines are prescribed for different diseases, and a medicine which is appropriate in one situation may not be appropriate in another."

End Days was awarded The American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg citation in March, 2008. It received its NYC premiere at Ensemble Studio Theatre in March, 2009 through an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grant. It debuted in October, 2007 at Florida Stage, The Phoenix Theater in Indianapolis and Curious Theater in Denver through a National New Play Network rolling premiere and will have received nine productions by the end of the year. End Days is listed in the Burns Mantle Yearbook as one of the best regional plays of 2008, and is published in The Best Plays of 2008.

“Who knew The Rapture could be so funny?" – Theatremania

"…rapturously funny play about a family trying to survive in a world hurtling toward Armageddon, proves that the right playwright can inspire healing laughter in even the most sobering subjects."
-The Miami Herald

"A satirical dark comedy with a moral edge."
"The universality of the denouement brings this comedy full circle, leaving us to admire the relevancy of Laufer's humor and wisdom of her message." -Variety


“Enormously funny, warm and uplifting!” - CurtainUp

"… both poignantly redemptive and often hilariously funny."
"I hope others will have the opportunity to see this special play. It begs the question of what we would hold most sacred if we knew the end was near. And it brings to life our broad range of choices, including laughter, and the treasured traveling companions who are there even when we face our own personal Armageddon." -The Huffington Post