Ghosts of Chernobyl

Ghosts of Chernobyl – Theatre Above the Law

Theatre Above the Law’s new show, Ghosts of Chernobyl, has been a long time coming. It was originally set to premiere in March 2020. I was particularly excited since I had then recently finished the HBO series about the Chernobyl disaster and gone on a deep dive on the subject. I had my ticket ready to go and even hoped that, after a shutdown we thought would last two weeks, the show could reopen. As well all know now, the shutdown of the world, and theater in particular, lasted much longer. Happily, Theatre Above the Law remembers that the show must (eventually) go on.

The play focuses on two stories, first that of the two engineers and their autocratic boss manning the controls of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the days leading up to the disaster; and two women and their autocratic boss, who have come to the plant twenty-five years later in search of answers, some professional, some personal. As their respective stories unfold, they cross paths in unexpected ways.

There’s an interesting story here about legacy and connection and regret, but I don’t think it lands with quite the impact it should. The story tips its hand a little too early about what is going on, and because the story stays in the control room in both periods, a lot of the connective tissue that gives the story its stakes gets described, rather that shown, so even when the characters are at a 10, the story hasn’t quite gotten there with them.

That said, the cast is quite good. Jamie Redwood as Katie, the young woman who clearly has a more personal connection to the disaster than she has admitted to her friend and colleague, is very good in particular. She did a fantastic job portraying the complex feelings and uncertainty she was experiencing.

Ultimately, I don’t think the show quite lands its themes are solidly as it needs to, but the cast is very good, and I am still happy that, even if it took a while, I was able to finally see this show, and look forward to the rest of Theatre Above the Law’s season.

Somewhat Recommended

Reviewed by Kevin Curran

Presented February 3-27 by Theatre Above the Law at 1439 W. Jarvis, Chicago.

Tickets are available by going to www.theatreatl.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.