“Smart, funny, frightening, poignant and ultimately, despite its focus on technology, very human.” – Chicago Stage Standard
“Laufer (an award-winning playwright whose widely produced End Days
made a terrific impression when staged here by Next Theatre), is such a
smart, engaging storyteller, and possesses such a flair for devising
characters with highly individual voices, that she can draw you right
in, whatever your age.” – Chicago Sun-Times, Read More
“Leveling Up
is an amazing reflection on how technology is changing our world and
how we live in it. Laufer understands that it is not the technology or
the reality that we choose that is important, but our relationships. Not
just for the teens, this is a play that has plenty to offer audiences
of all ages. Leveling Up is smart, funny, frightening, poignant and, ultimately, despite its focus on technology, very human.” – Chicago Stage Standard, Read More
“Laufer’s
coming-of-age tale succeeds as a thought-provoking and powerful insight
into why 'leveling up' in life doesn’t just mean defeating your
opponent. Topical subject matters are treated in a timeless way, making Leveling Up
all the more resonant and relevant... Laufer’s script is intelligent
without being preachy and funny without being goofy or awkward.” – Chicago Theater Beat, Read More
“If
our theater is eager to reach the next generation—those gamers,
texters, Snapchatters, and so on, who were raised in a world where the
virtual often overshadows the actual—here's a place to start: produce
smart, inquiry-based plays like this one. Deborah Zoe Laufer's Leveling Up raises questions about what it means to make choices in an increasingly disconnected, media-saturated world.” – Chicago Reader, Read More