There’s Life Outside Your Apartment

Windows

Although there are some similarities, WINDOWS isn’t really an update of the silly 1970’s sitcom, “Three’s Company,” although both focus on two women and a man sharing a flat. And Matt Schutz’s play is definitely unlike the classic 1954 Hitchcock thriller, “Rear Window.” The only similarities are that, like the James Stewart character, Olivia has a leg injury that has stranded her on the sofa. With nothing to do, the apartment windows provide a sort of multiscreen source of live entertainment for both main characters. But in Olivia’s case, the invalid’s voyeurism strongly ignites her imagination. She begins devising complex stories about the people she sees, even inventing their names and character quirks that continually change. And so, as they sing in the musical AVENUE Q, the lethargic Olivia enjoys discovering that “There’s Life Outside Your Apartment.”

The winner of PrideArts! Queery Workshop, Chicago-based playwright Matt Schutz scored the opportunity to see his comedy, WINDOWS, presented as a world premiere production in Chicago. Quite an exciting moment for an up-and-coming writer, and the opening night proved that this young man has talent. PrideArts is a prominent non-profit theater company and arts organization dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ culture, queer voices and intersectional storytelling. Matt Schutz’s enjoyable comedy certainly checks all these boxes with this delightful 100-minute one-act.

Olivia (beautifully played by talented Chicago newcomer, Lucabella Sangin) is a promising soccer player. Her life suddenly changes when a career-altering leg injury crushes her dreams as a professional athlete. Olivia’s partner, Natalie, has brought her girlfriend back to the apartment she shares with her longtime friend, Clay. She installs Olivia on the sofa, providing her with food and drink, while both Natalie and Clay head off to work at their day jobs. Becoming totally sedentary, Olivia snacks, waits for her roommates to return home and fantasizes about the characters she keeps track of through the windows.

Natalie (played by effervescent, amiable Chicago newbie, Vinita Dixit) has also had her future plans altered. Thinking that her girlfriend would become a famous soccer star, Natalie envisioned touring the world with Olivia and working as her assistant. Instead, Natalie’s working at a furniture store and wishing her mundane job was more interesting. She’d prefer a job that offered her an opportunity for some control and creativity. And Natalie is one of those wonderful, empathetic individuals who truly enjoys caring about everyone around her. The constant attention Natalie heaps on her invalid girlfriend, which Olivia appreciates, sometimes tends to smother and drive the girl crazy.

Then there’s Clay, portrayed with spirit and spunk by Chicago actor, River Ruiz. Like Natalie, Clay isn’t thrilled with his current job and has been trying to convince the powers-that-be how great he’d be in a more authoritative position. Then, to further complicate his life, Clay’s also dealing with the sudden arrival of his ex-boyfriend, who is currently living just across the street. Originally Clay was fine sharing his apartment with his longtime friend, Natalie. But having an unanticipated third roommate living on his sofa has severely affected his lifestyle. And not for the good. Olivia and Clay constantly butt heads as she offers unsolicited opinions about everything, while cluttering up the living room with her discarded food containers. Not being able to move around, Olivia can’t even water the houseplants, which becomes a real bone of contention between the roommates.

Skillfully guided and meticulously staged by Taylor Pasche, the Chicago-based director will be remembered for her previous PrideArts’ production of THROBBIN’ WOOD. She once again focuses on the tiniest details in her main characters. Taylor has directed her cast to live honestly within each moment of the story. Then, in a complete contrast, Ms. Pasche has guided David Lipshutz and Ashley Kramer, who are listed in the program simply as Actor 1 and 2, much differently. Tapping into an exaggerated, more melodramatic side of their talents, both actors create constantly changing characters (and costumes) throughout the entire play. Primarily, they play the various tenants that Olivia watches through the apartment windows. Ms. Kramer is especially delightful and bizarrely over-the-top, both as a guest invited for a board game night and as a food delivery girl who unloads her problems on Olivia; and Mr. Lipshutz makes the most of playing Clay’s snobby, controlling former boyfriend.

A special nod of appreciation goes to Hayley Wallenfeldt, whose lovely scenic design is as practical as it is polished. Carrying the theme of the show, the upstage wall is cleverly adorned with windows of every shape, size and description. There’s also a scrim curtain that allows the audience to see the ghostly silhouettes of the characters Olivia is observing through the windows. Additionally, suspended on stage left are two large windows, which lighting designer illuminates whenever Olivia’s attention is drawn to them. And Emily Brink’s costumes are thoughtfully well-chosen, especially for Clay and the multitude of window characters. 

Opening PrideArts’ 2026-27 season, Artistic Director Jay Espano advertises the world premiere of WINDOWS as a LGBTQ+ comedy by, for and about Gen Z-ers. The play is about three young people trying to navigate their way through the challenges of settling on a career and maintaining a satisfying relationship. But there are a few problems. For the theatergoer who has left his late twenty’s far behind, Matt Schutz’s humorous one-act may not always hit home. Getting into the head of that age group might pose some challenges for older audience members. And although the comedy shows a lot of promise it eventually starts to feel too long, especially during the final thirty minutes. That’s when the story seems to wander. A little judicious editing would keep the story succinct without weakening the message and its caustic bite. The acting and direction are good, the story is funny and the characters are quirky and likable. Through the WINDOWS, a young woman stretches her imagination by living vicariously, and observing that “There’s Life Outside Your Apartment. “   

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented Saturdays and Sundays, August 7-23, by PrideArts at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door, by going to the Center on Halsted events page or Hot Tix.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Logan and Candice Conner Oomphotography