"Do not read the newspaper. Be the news."
-the dreamer examines his pillow
by John Patrick Shanley

This review is from The Chicago Reader.

TRUE WEST, Shortbridge Theater Troupe, at the New
Harrison Street Galleries Studio Theater. Small
companies reviving Sam Shepard's oft produced 1981
play about a pair of bickering brothers can learn a
lesson from this production. Its two young leads-
Benjamin Myers and Andy Schoen, both still in college-
lack the range and depth of seasoned actor. And
they're working in a situation that's wrong in many
ways: the set is cheap and unconvincing, the track
lighting unsophisticated, the space poorly ventilated
and not air conditioned.

But none of this matters becuause Myers, Schoen, and
their fellow cast members, JA Moss and Mara Podolner,
have done their homework. The actors understand the
script and know what makes their characters tick;
speaking their lines more or less correctly is icing
on the cake. Even more important, Schoen, who also
directs, doesn't muck things up with a "clever" take
on the material. Nor does he insist on annoying PC
casting choices the way Bailiwick did recently by
making one brother deaf despite Shepard's clear
intention that both be hearing. Instead, Schoen simply
re-creates the world Shepard describes, and that's
enough to provide an enjoyable experience.
-Jack Helbig

This review, by Tribune chief critic Richard Christiansen,

appeared in the July 21 issue of the Chicago Tribune.

Summer is a time when young theater companies plant their flags and announce themselves to the world or at least to the Chicago area.

One such hopeful group is the Shortbridge Theatre Troupe, made up of college-age members who are presenting John Patrick Shanley's raucous romance "The Dreamer Examines His Pillow" through Aug. 13 at the Harrison Street Galleries in Oak Park.

Shanley's philosophy of love, best known through his screenplay for "Moonstruck," is that, though true love may lead to disaster, it's inevitable and necessary and let's get on with it.

The fated-for-each-other lovers here are Andy Schoen and Alexandra Pochron, two attractive young actors who are fun to watch in their prickly scenes together.

Portraying the girl's father and chief dispenser of tribal wisdom is Benjamin Myers, a young man whose hair has been grayed and whose outrageous emoting is incredible.

Mark Macoun is the designer/director responsible.

This brief appeared in the spring issue of State Of The Arts Magazine.

Shortbridge Theatre Troupe is revving up for their annual summer production. The company of young actors have produced a play every summer for the past five years. This summer, Andy Schoen, a former Oak Park & River Forest High school grad of 2000 and presently a student at Northern Illinois University, will direct the production. This year Andy has selected a play by contemporary playwright and actor Sam Shepard called "True West." Andrew Moss, Ben Myers and Jeff Shapiro will act in and help produce "True West." Shapiro, one of the founders of Shortbridge says, "Our main vision is to keep artistic integrity within any production." They would like to build up a broad base audience for their annual productions. Jeff also reports they have a website under construction. The theatre recruits volunteer teens from area high schools with a strong commitment to drama and the stage. If interested, or for more information, visit www.shortbridge.tripod.com or write to shortbridge@hotmail.com.

Shortbridge has also been mentioned in the Pioneer Press Oak Leaves, the Oak Park Area Arts Council Newsletter, and the Wednesday Journal.