Press

"Of course, it is Stephens’ ability to portray this painful journey that makes it all possible. Her performance is completely grounded even when her character is not. She does more things with small forced smiles than even seems possible, and when Alice is actually merry or even frolicsome—mostly, it must be said, in her imagination—her face opens up to let in the world…or at least Toupin’s bizarro version of it"

Karen Topham - Chicago on Stage.com

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"Maria Stephens stands out as the vivacious but haunted young wife, Alice.  Her stage presence is unfailingly vivid." 

Michael Antman - Chicago Theatre and Concert Reviews

"the most protracted, headlong and dazzling speech in the play as Stephens conjures a graphic image of the Daughter’s sorry circumstances of poverty, alienation, heartbreak. In its authenticity and conviction, Stephens cataclysmic outburst was as thrilling as it was painful to behold. This was a purple patch of transcendent acting: the character made convulsing flesh and agonizing soul." 

"Maria Stephens as the Daughter: Her brilliant speech conjured a graphic image of poverty, alienation and heartbreak."

Lawerence B. Johnson Chicago on the Isle

. . ."The Wonderful Maria Stephens as the Cold, Calculating, power-desiring and power-driven queen". . .

Phil Potempa, Northwest Indiana Times

 

"You Listen before you look in this savage swamp world, which echoes of scraping knives and hushed cymbals. And the cast has a knack for keeping you there, notably Frank Nall as the Vengeful Macduff and Maria Stephens as a subtle biting Lady Macbeth"

Chloe Riley, Chicago Reader

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As Lady TV, Maria Stephens walks a similar line. Her face, hidden by
sparkling sunglasses, is ubiquitous within the space as she constantly
announces good news from several different television screens (video
designer Michal Janicki). Even though she barely moves through the whole
show, Stephens has the audience entirely in her control with an
exceptionally unnerving smile. She is giggly, but takes on a grotesque,
dystopian feel that fills the room with a certain anxiety, even as she
(literally) fills the room with bubbles."

Paul Kubicki, Stage and Cinema