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
...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?

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? Not playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer, whose End Days makes its Chicago premiere in a hilarious, smart production under director Shade Murray. End Days is a comedy about one family’s adventure to find faith and renewal. Sylvia Stein (Laura T. Fisher), once an Jewish atheist, now a “born again” Evangelical Christian and Rapture believer speaks and sees Jesus (Joseph Wycoff in white robe and crown of thorns). She is obsessed with spreading the word about the Rapture (the end of the world). Arthur Stein (William Dick) is an always sleepy man disillusioned by the 911 attack that killed 65 of his colleagues. He hasn’t gotten out of his pajamas in weeks. Rachel Stein (Carolyn Faye Kramer) is the cynical atheistic teen ‘goth’ girl in white face who scorns her mother’s religious fanaticism. She believes in science.

Enter Nelson Steinberg (Adam Shalzi), teen boy whose identify crisis includes dressing in a white Elvis jumpsuit while always carrying a guitar. His school mates constantly harass him. Nelson is a nerdy, yet pleasant and most positive fellow who pines for Rachel and befriends Arthur in a series of funny scenes. This kitchen sink comedy skillfully blends pokes at religious fanaticism as it shows that when in personal crisis, we tend to escape into blindly following extremist beliefs. Sylvia’s personal faith is thrust upon her husband and her unwilling daughter. We see Sylvia seeing Jesus personified on stage.

Nelson is the charming, big-hearted teen who wins Rachel, helps Arthur cope and gives Sylvia the benefit of the doubt as to the validity of the coming Rapture. This is a breakthrough role for Adam Shalzi whose terrific comedic timing and sincerity wins completely. Shalzi’s natural warmth and truthfulness has a healing tone through the laughter he garners. Without revealing too much, let me say that playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer’s script is cliché-free as it contains a surprising ending that is both plausible and smart. This show intelligently, with loads of wit, pokes at using religious fanaticism to heal our personal wounds. Laufer suggests a more human source of renewal and faith to fill our needs. 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. Elvis to the rescue?

Recommended       

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