Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended
"... The uncomfortable silences that sometimes follow a public confession of devoutness are reproduced amusingly in this world-premiere comedy, which had its official opening Monday night in Theater J’s Goldman Theater. Now, if Calarco would only trust her premise and cut some of the clunkier conceits in this overreaching effort, she might see her way clear to a taut, provocative satire. In downshifting too often from sociological insight to ill-advised bursts of magic realism and other cutesyness, “The Religion Thing” squanders much of its comic momentum."
Washington Examiner - Somewhat Recommended
"...The Locally Grown festival is a great idea, and it's as refreshing to have D.C. references as it is to eat locally grown produce. But this play needs some pruning and cutting before it can be considered ripe for the enjoying."
DCist - Not Recommended
"... Unfortunately, the problems go beyond misleading advertising and lie more with a script that is poorly structured and about as subtle as a sledgehammer. What might have been a nuanced and entertaining examination of issues that arise in contemporary relationships is instead a melodrama that would give the average Bollywood film a run for its money. My intellect and soul felt bludgeoned after last night's performance, leaving what was left of my spirit in some dark corner of the theater, whimpering in the fetal position and sucking its thumb."
MetroWeekly - Recommended
"...All in all, you're bound to be troubled at play's end, but not in a bad way. It's troubling in the same way life can be both perplexing and thought-provoking. The Religion Thing is a very modern, very realistic, very funny play that deserves the boost Theater J is giving it, as part of the company's project to create more ''Locally Grown'' art. In particular, here's to more to come from the pen of Renee Calarco."
Washington City Paper - Recommended
"... The Religion Thing, a new play that opened last week at Theater J, is a terrible choice of outing for a first JDate. Actually, it’s probably an unwise second or third JDate, too. Which is to say, The Religion Thing is an uncomfortably funny exploration of how religious differences complicate human connections, from football buddies on a couch to married partners in bed."
Washingtonian - Recommended
"... You may not leave the show feeling satisfied and happy (or at least the kind of satisfied and happy a “romantic comedy” usually inspires), but the loose ends left untied here fit with the overall spirit of truth that makes the play so thought-provoking. There’s a reason talking about religion is considered uncouth—volatile and deeply personal, the topic touches each of us in strange and silly ways we sometimes can’t explain. But as this smart production goes to show, we could all stand to exorcise our inner demons."
BrightestYoungThings - Highly Recommended
"...The excellently acted production is brilliantly lit, costumed and staged. Actors occupy an incredible revolving stage, and are expertly styled, as is the set. “The Religion Thing” almost gives off the feeling of watching a film; the powerful five person cast blaze through the two hour performance with superb timing and delivery by their believably well developed characters. Thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking, “The Religion Thing” asks us to consider the bittersweet difficulty of maintaining commitments to serious relationships in spite of irreconcilable differences."
Washington Jewish Week - Highly Recommended
"... A lapsed Catholic, an unaffiliated Jew and a pair of born-again Evangelical Christians mix it up in playwright Renee Calarco's brand-new work at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center's Theater J. No surprise that religion is the driving force bringing together one couple and tearing apart the other. What does surprise is how deftly much of the evening plays out, with laughs, serious pauses, fireworks - both sexual and anger-related - and, in the end, much food for thought on where religion stands in the lives of well-educated, comfortable Washingtonians in 2012."
Washington Blade - Somewhat Recommended
"...“The Religion Thing” is an uneven comedy whose quieter, more serious scenes are its best. Calarco gives each of her four successful Washingtonians teetering on the precipice of middle age a moment to express their feelings about religion and the role it plays in their lives. As Mo, Mamana poignantly expresses her character’s longing to return to her youth — a time when it was easier to fully believe in the ineffable mysteries and sacred rites of the Catholic Mass."
MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended
"... The nearly flawless cast portrays their characters’ vulnerability, confusion, frustration and rage with wit, aplomb and perfect comic timing, skillfully capturing the wobbly social dynamics that keep the two couples’ respective marriages intact – and that simultaneously threaten to destroy them. In a smaller role, Joseph Thornhill memorably portrays multiple bit characters –including ghosts from the past in several dream sequences as well as a standup comic – that underscore some of the play’s central themes."
DCTheatreScene - Recommended
In her knowing take on faith and how it relates to love, loyalty, and identity, Calarco picks no definite winners and losers, choosing to paint in shades of gray rather than black and white.
