Chicago Onstage by Karen Topham

Joining these performers onstage are Brenna DiStasio, who plays Marie Antoinette at multiple ages and stages of her life, and David Stobbe, whose Louis LVI is so effete and so reminiscent of Hamilton‘s King Charles that I half expected him to break into “I’ll Be Back.” The relationship between these two is shown (accurately) as distant and mostly nonsexual. (Marie had four children, all of whom historians believe were legitimate, but who knows?) Here, Stobbe’s Louis is far more interested in living up to his father’s legacy than in creating one of his own—dude has major daddy issues—and DiStasio’s Marie’s disconnect from anything other than her love of her children is seen in her nearly constant day-drinking. Even in the lone extended scene between them, when they are imprisoned together, they remain true to their emotional cores: Marie, stronger than ever, is determined to save France by any means possible in order to save her children, while Louis insists that there are limits to what he will do, for fear of risking the entire monarchy. It’s a great scene.

Third Coast Review- Kathy D. Hey

David Stobbe gives a great performance as King Louis XVI. The unfortunate monarch was considered a spoiled simpleton who was unable to consummate his marriage. He is pictured in a small room most of the time dressed flamboyantly and playing with toy figures as bombs explode. Stobbe is funny and then somber as the doomed and imprisoned king.

Rescripted- Christian Bufford

David Stobbe as King Louis XVI is both sweet and majestic in his portrayal. It must be said that Terry Guest has painted his two white characters to be sympathetic but still not well-minded people. It is in a final scene where Marie and King Louis contemplate both the end of their lives and their legacies that we see the fragile inner workings of white leaders who, rather unfortunately, cannot lead.

Tristan Burns- Newcity Stage Review

David Stobbe who steals the show with his larger-than-life portrayals of The Big Bopper and music producer Hipockets Duncan.

CJ Burroughs-Buzz Center Stage

Valens, of course, died in the same crash that took Buddy’s life, as did J.P. Richardson, known to the world as The Big Bopper. David Stobbe, most recently seen stealing scenes—and his son Huck’s nest egg—in Mercury Theater’s Big River, fills out the Bopper’s flashy period suit and plays the role to the hilt.

Hedy Weiss-WTTW

David Stobbe is right on target as Huck’s decadent “Pap.” And high comic madness from Stobbe (who also plays The King) and Fries.

Colin Douglas-Chicago Theatre Review

The brilliant comedy team of Gabriel Fries, playing the Duke and Judge Thatcher, and David Stobbe, as Huck’s Pap and the King, are both excellent. They particularly work well together as partners in crime while demonstrating strong vocal ability while individually commanding the stage with their comic timing.

Chris Jones-Chicago Tribune

I mostly enjoyed the comedic, character work by the likes of Callan Roberts (who plays Tom Sawyer), David Stobbe (who plays both Pap and King) and Gabriel Fries.

CJ Burroughs-Buzz Center Stage

Perhaps the most timeless of the songs here is “Guv’ment,” a screed against everything that wouldn’t be out of place in right-wing or reactionary media. Huck’s Pap is played less over-the-top and boisterous, by David Stobbe, than any other Pap I’ve seen. He didn’t play for laughs as much as for sympathy—it worked for me—but he completely went for the laughs as the King, who, accompanied by Gabriel Fries’ Duke, gives the show some levity at its darkest moments, their malaprops and Shakespearean gobbledygook and medicine show shenanigans a lot of fun.

Fringe Goer- Casey Greenleaf

This small cast packs a serious punch. With an incredibly intelligent and nuanced script as well as fully actualized performances from the supremely deliberate actors, this hilarious and surprisingly tender show provides a unique and thoughtful take on the fine line between creating a legitimate business and staying faithful to the original conception of one’s creative endeavors. Very rarely does this play ever feel excessive or over-done, no easy feat when one considers how constantly the actors are accelerating the pace of this show. It’s done effectively and humorously, tongue in cheek while remaining realistic. Don’t miss this one!

Fringe Goer- Carolyn Cooper

“Brand Specialist” (David Stobbe) sums up what’s wrong with the world so the premise of this show excited me. Tight dialogue and timing. I was completely taken along on the frenzied ride.

Fringe Goer- Sam Bates Norum

The energy of the script flows through the phenomenally talented performers effortlessly and results in a fantastical and frenetic uneasiness throughout. Quick humor supplemented by nuanced emotions. It would be simple and safe to perform the tropes for laughs and catharsis, but fringe isn't for the safe. Fringe is for the bold. Highly highly recommend this group from Chicago. Supporting touring artists should be a priority for all fringe goers.

Fringe Goer- Nate Farley

Well written and extraordinarily performed overwhelming of every sense. I'm so glad I randomly took a shot on this show!

Fringe Goer- Adam Boutz

There is a lot of human and cultural commentary to unpack in this short but incredibly rich play. From ripping apart social media to scathing criticism of Scientology, this touches on EVERYTHING that defines how simple ideas can spiral out of control. How even the puppet master (David Stobbe) ends of on the strings of his own puppet. It's energetic, insane, ridiculous, but yet somehow way way too real..

Fringe Goer- Reid Gagle

A charismatic branding expert (played by David Stobbe) brainstorms with the staff of a small, artsy, literary magazine. The ideas spiral feverishly out of control. This is a high energy rollercoaster of a show, and the cast is excellent, both in line delivery and stage presence. By the end, things are probably a bit too manic, but you should definitely go along for the ride.

Fringe Goer- Maia Gilmour

I am always impressed by the artistic products that come from the explosively creative minds of those who contribute to the Bittersweet Arts Co., and this show does more than live up to my already high expectation of their work - it exceeds. Forsythian Dweller’s Club speaks directly to the dreaded tension between ‘art a expression’ vs. ‘art as commodity.’ We, as the audience, are taken on a rocket-ship-roller-coaster-ride of the ever-accelerating thirst for profit; leading to a haunting thirst for power; leading to a thirst in general because the wildly talented cast of actors work up a warranted sweat as they lead us to the chilling climax. You’ll need a drink of water after experiencing such genius. Don’t miss it.