Stunning Don’t Miss Drama at Writers Theatre

As data centers drop down into our rural communities sucking resources like the hordes of locusts of old, Matthew Libby’s play Sisters asks us to contemplate a not too distant future where AI becomes family.  Jessica Thebus’s compassionate and empathetic direction of this compelling 90 minute piece lets us face the existential question of what is it to be human?

Brenda Barrie, in a tour de force performance portrays 90 years of human Matilda’s life set against the voice of Chloe Johnston as her “sister” Greta, an AI created by her father.  The play is horrifying and moving simultaneously. 

Since Ancient Greek times we humans have been warned and now AI is our Pandora’s box– once unleashed this cannot be put back in the box and there will be unintended consequences.There are so very many consequences.   Matilda’s father clearly did not take to heart the tale of Prometheus who gifted technology to humans and was punished for all eternity. He did not contemplate what happens when our creations develop agendas of their own. 

Alone on a sparse stage, Barrie is able to portray the six year old to the 96 year old with just her physicality and perhaps a simple prop–it is one of the most technically skilled pieces of acting I have seen in years. Go see this show for this lesson in storytelling from the body alone. But there is so very much more here and you will be questioning everything in the days after hearing this tale.  It is a stark reminder that we humans develop deep and lasting relationships with our things. And when the things begin to learn from us we have no control over outcomes. 

Finally this play asks profuoundly: what is the nature of love– reminding us that it is not just for humans. 

I want everyone to see this show. It strips away the data and statistics and grips us with a story gorgeously told that is as old as we are. It’s not a comfortable takeaway, but it is a true one. 

Sisters is playing at Writers Theatre, Wednesdays through Sundays through November 8,2026 at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe IL. For tickets and more info go to  https://www.writerstheatre.org/events/sisters

photo by Hugo Hentoff

For  reviews go to https://www.theatreinchicago.com/