Washington Post - Recommended
"...Contained in one or another strand of “Mary T. & Lizzy K.” — and most likely, in its most active scene, the assembling of Mary’s latest gown — is a potent examination of a fascinating alliance at a singular historical moment. If Thompson can excavate that, a truly riveting night of theater may await."
DC Theater Arts - Recommended
"...Tazewell Thompson's new play Mary T. & Lizzy K., now playing at Arena Stage, is based on the unlikely friendship between Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckly, a slave who bought herself from her master and became a much admired dress designer - her clients included the wives of Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. The tensions inherent in relationships like that, which race and class are supposed to preempt, have energized a lot of narratives, from The Help to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. But Thompson has assigned himself a greater challenge than either Kathryn Stockett or Mark Twain attempted: he's trying to turn thoroughly documented historical circumstances into viable theater, which is hard to do because what happens in reality is rarely what needs to happen on stage."
Washington Examiner - Highly Recommended
"...For all its seriousness, "Mary T. & Lizzy K." contains plenty of humor. Despite a few flecks of dry exposition, Thompson has created a compelling portrait of history. His "Mary T. & Lizzy K." is an excellent start to Arena's program dedicated to the lives of American presidents."
MetroWeekly - Recommended
"...There's much to be commended about this revival of one of Jerry Herman's masterpiece musicals, with a book by Michael Stewart based on Thornton Wilder's play The Matchmaker. Schaeffer subtly attempts to both pare down one of America's best-loved and showiest musicals as well as modernize it for new audiences. Everything about the production is stately and stylish, from Adam Koch's Victorian-era sets to Wade Labiossonniere's regal, elaborate though not old-fashioned costumes. Choreographer Karma Camp has the small 16-member cast move with wit and grace, adding a little athleticism for the restaurant employees. And James Moore leads an eight piece orchestra that does its inordinate best to put some pep in the actors' steps, but never in a showboating sense."
WeLoveDC - Highly Recommended
"...Clothes protect and shield the self. They are “loyal,” as Mary says. Mary T. & Lizzy K. is more than just a re-imagining of the world of the Lincolns – it’s a beautifully poetic work exploring the nature of intimacy, and relationship dances of complex power."
Washington City Paper - Somewhat Recommended
"...No doubt Thompson was relieved to see his show finally showing after years of researching, writing, and revising. But just as Mary Todd never settled her dressmaking accounts with Elizabeth Keckly, Mary T. & Lizzy K. is an attractive production that never pays off in full."
Washingtonian - Highly Recommended
"...All four actors give outstanding performances. Jacobson is capricious and thoroughly unlikable as Mary Todd Lincoln, fluttering around the stage with the nervous anxiety of a basket case but with a cruel capacity to wound. As her husband, Simpson is the opposite-charming, jocular, endlessly sympathetic-and unrecognizable from his role as Pickering in My Fair Lady last year. Jones, as Ivy, is extraordinary, and her character pounces from nowhere to offer one of the most remarkable volte-faces of the play."
The Georgetowner - Recommended
"...Thompson writes beautifully, with no fear of poetry, and with great compassion for human suffering—even the thoroughly combative and paranoid Mary Todd gets her glorious due here. The play is aided and abetted by Donald Eastman’s set which is at once functional and contains hidden wonders. Tt’s a place of starkness with left-over physical discarded memories—a trunk, curtains and boxes and briefcases, containing the stuff for dressmaking and discovery."
MD Theatre Guide - Somewhat Recommended
"...Mary T. & Lizzie K. has a wonderful idea that somewhere along the way got derailed. When the secondary stories are more interesting than the main plot, it's time for a little help. I am hoping that Thompson makes further revisions to his script because amidst all the stories it should be not all about the dress."
DCTheatreScene - Recommended
The script is thoughtful and well-structured. The acting is astute. And if the show glides over as many intriguing themes and ideas as it ends up latching onto, it’s hard to fault anyone for breezing through.
