Random Acts

See it if you'd like to hear abt racial tensions in Chicago 1960s-70s. Impressions of 5/6 yo and of minister-dad. Strong beg/ending...mushy middle.

Don't see it if you want high interest thru-out. Some dull portions (cut Hills Are Alive). Late payoff is touching. Religious underpinnings. Cloying as kid.

See it if Lovely enactment of child’s perspective on racial strife. Emotional, spiritual, full of joy & hope even in dark moments. Beautiful ending.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy solo shows. You are uninterested in a child’s viewpoint. You want more drama, rather than sad life experiences.

See it if Like a look at tensions & complex racial relations as seen thru eyes of white minister's daughter in the 60s-70s. Sense memory is good here.

Don't see it if Don't want to spend long time with her as a young child w little adult reflection after she grows up. Expect more story about MLK/riots.

Also I liked this very ambitious play (Renata wrote as well as performed it) and her good skill as an actor. (She's pretty fluid switching from character to character.)

I think I had a different expectation for the show after reading the company-supplied blurb. What it is is a series of recollections, mostly from her very young days up to her high school dance, and NOT an analytic dive into the extreme racial tensions in the south side of Chicago at the time.

And, while I thought Renata handled the multi-characters well, her theatrical interpretation of herself as a child was a little too cloying for me.

The story deserves a retelling, and this serves that purpose. It's a worthy effort and worth-seeing.

I do have a wee nit. The staging needs to be edited. Too much switching side-to-side indicating 2 characters in conversation and too much walking around the bench. I liked the use of music, song, and dancing.... Read more Read less

See it if You can relate to growing up in the ‘60s or are interested in personal stories from that era

Don't see it if You don’t like a single actor playing multiple roles or are looking for a deep analysis of the subject matter

Also I was lucky enough to see a postshow talkback with the writer/actor and a college professor who teaches black studies and a course called “Whiteness” which added alot to the experience... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in race relations you like one-woman shows you like looking at issues from different perspectives

Don't see it if you want a lot of action you like musicals you don't believe that reverse discrimination exists

Also I love the way the artist portrayed herself at different ages--very convincing.

The movement was well-choreographed

I was touched by the story.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in a young white person's POV on 70's race relations and you want to support actors creating their own work.

Don't see it if you feel uneasy about a privileged person's perspective on hot button issues.

See it if you like one woman plays

Don't see it if you miss being entertained

See it if enjoy a one-person show that is energetic, unique and provocative

Don't see it if you're lookingh for an eveing of light, fluffy fare

See it if You enjoy personal stories and how they relate to historical times. This story reflected on the actress's experience during civil rights era

Don't see it if You don't like one person shows, especially where they portray several different characters.

See it if you like engaging story telling and relevant topics.

Don't see it if you don't like one person shows.

See it if You like one woman memoir shows with a political statement

Don't see it if Don’t like shows topical for the 60s and 70s

See it if You have a sensitive soul.

Don't see it if If you are a racist of any kind. If you are not open.

See it if You enjoy one-woman shows that explore racial issues. The performance is enhanced by sounds, music and staging.

Don't see it if you prefer elaborate sets and costumes. This production requires imagination & a willingness to follow the performer back in time and place.

See it if A woman explaining her life from childhood. Well written and acting a good storyline to it.

Don't see it if If you do not want a deep play written about a persons life that was challenging.

See it if you’re interested in a child’s take on race relations in Chicago during the 1960s.

Don't see it if you are looking for a full-bodied drama: this is a story-telling solo show.

Also Just about all the childhood memories that Renata Hinrichs relates in her autobiographical solo show relate in some way to the uneasy relationship between black & white Chicagoans from the mid-1960s through the early 70s when they shared a city but little else. The script is smart about people & race, but dramatically uneven. There are real life incidents that have personal, even societal significance, & might have narrative force if related in a memoir, but do not pack a dramatic punch. But Hinrichs is a winning performer. The can impersonate a range of characters, sing & dance. And her finale, a modern-day update on a fraught romantic relationship with a boy in her teen years, has the power to draw together in retrospect the loosely-related vignettes we in the audience have just experienced.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to relive, or experience, the innocence of the 50's-60's and the influence of religion on matters including race. Honestly told!

Don't see it if you do not like one person plays where the actor plays many characters or you don't/do not want to relate to views of the mid 20th Century.

See it if You are interested in the civil rights era in the north as experienced by a very young minister’s daughter.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy one person shows. You need elaborate sets and costumes to enjoy a show. You have little interest in the 1960’s eras history.

See it if You like plays based in history and the changing times of the 60’s as seen through the eyes of the young playwright/actor.

Don't see it if If you don’t like one actor plays or those based in racism.

See it if Autobiographical story in south-side Chicago during civil rights era, illustrating that a small act of kindness can have a profound effect.

Don't see it if You want a traditionally structured play with multiple roles. A minister’s daughter’s story with a few significant events isn’t enough.

See it if A beautifully written and acted one woman show about her childhood experiences growing up during the civil rights era in Chicago. Memorable!

Don't see it if Do not see it you do not like solo shows.

See it if Interested in the Dr King experiences

Don't see it if Poorly written.

Also Random Acts sheds little light on the aftermath of the murder of Martin Luther King jr. Renata Heinrichs presence on the stage is warm and captivating and engages the audience through her embodiment of characters, but falls painfully short on content of which the play has little. It is understandable that this childhood experience marked her life, but it is sad to think that very little understanding of the complexity of our lives was good for thought in the creation of this piece. Renata, is amazing I must say, as she is a joy to watch even when the written piece does little to support her on stage.... Read more Read less

See it if You like solo shows and are interested in the story of a woman growing up in an integrated neighborhood in the 60's. Well done.

Don't see it if You aren't interested in stories about race relations. But this should be seen by everyone over 50 - very relatable and informative.

See it if You want to see a fabulous one woman show. Shows through a young white child's eyes confusing world of discrimination. Very touching

Don't see it if If you dont like one person shows, or dont want to hear about reverse discrimination

See it if racial situation in 1960/70 perceived by a kindergarten, later a high school, girl; Solo show, with strong “theatre clown”; strong ending

Don't see it if Writing is not as strong as her acting, some parts fall into the trap of casualness; could be more condensed;

See it if You like one act, solo show.A memoir of a women, glimpses of her chilhood,teen years&her experiences in south Chicago in the turbulent times

Don't see it if multiple characters played by a single artist might bore you, racial referral might offend you, bare bone theater might not your thing