Strawdog Theatre: Advance Man
Michael Stejskal and Julie Partyka
Strawdog Theatre Company Presents ADVANCE MAN Review - The First of a Sci-Fi Trilogy
TLDR: A science fiction play set in the home of a Mars mission specialist, Advance Man captures modern themes as we ourselves worry about a dying planet and the fate of humanity. A great show for those that like plays that are puzzles and slowly give out pieces of information bit by bit for a dramatic reveal.
Michael Stejskal, Emma Linderman, and Emerson Ross
Welcome Home Astronauts
Imagine journeying to Mars for three years. There’s the lead-up to it with multiple briefings and endless training. You make the journey there. You’ve made it. You’ve conquered the final frontier, possibly even traveling farther than a human has traveled before. You would probably expect that when you come home, back to Earth, you’re fundamentally changed in some way. For Bill Cooke and the rest of the team on this latest mission, they come back with a new mission after their experience on Mars.
This is where we drop in as we enter The Factory Theater for Strawdog’s production of Advance Man. We’re in the middle of the living room of the Cooke household. This is the homebase where Bill (Michael Stejskal) hosts team get-togethers frequently. His wife, Amelia (Julie Partyka) knows this is one of his two greatest passions - his work and his family. So she’s happy he’s home and present, but something feels different. Between taking care of their two kids and trying to rehabilitate Conor, one of the mission specialists who came back with signs of fundamental brain damage, she is trying her best to hold their life together while figuring out what’s going on with Bill. The rest of the Mars mission team are also trying to keep their lives from falling apart under the stress and push forward, sticking to the mission plan while knowing what’s at stake.
Advance Man keeps us guessing and engaged as we have no idea what is going to happen next, but we’re locked into the intensity of both the family dynamics and the work happening to supposedly save humanity.
Emerson Ross and Skyler Tipton
One Question Leads to a Dozen More
The script of Advance Man is designed so we’re finding out details piece by piece. Is Amanda right that Bill is having an affair? What is the secret project and why are pheromones involved? What do Abbie and Conor know that the rest of us don’t? Each new piece of information that’s revealed doesn’t resolve anything completely; it answers one question but opens the door for multiple new ones making the situation ever evolving. It grows until we see it’s not just about a family, this affects the entirety of humanity. The cast also embodies this high stakes atmosphere. They sell us on their being normal people, so we know they have regular lives as well that they’re willing to chance on this endeavor with an unknown outcome.
There are parts during the unraveling as they work to launch their project that were unclear, but these mostly came where everything is suddenly go go go, so we don’t really have time to dwell on the logistics. But thankfully, the ultimate goal does all become clear at the end. After being sucked in over the course of Act One, you might worry because Advance Man is billed as Part One of the Honeycomb Trilogy, so are they going to leave us on a cliffhanger? But for those that hate feeling unfulfilled, don’t stress. Though this is the first part of the trilogy, the show does wrap up its storyline with a satisfying conclusion but leaves us with just enough to want more.
Michael Stejskal, Jesi Mullins, Rio Soliz Raggazone, Skyler Tipton, and Emerson Ross
The After Party Thoughts
Advance Man is a play tackling modern day issues in this science fiction world that feels like we’re inching closer and closer to every day. With the concern about our dying planet, the possibility of extra terrestrial life, and the future of humanity more and more uncertain, the show is coming at the exact moment to theorize what could be next on the not so distant horizon.
I’m a fan of shows that slowly dole out information and make you build the puzzle yourself as long as there’s a good payoff at the end. So after seeing Advance Man, I’m in the camp of wanting more and hoping we get the second and third parts of the trilogy with Strawdog’s next season. So if you’re someone that likes the themes of movies like Project Hail Mary and Avengers: Infinity War or if you’re looking for a show that’s a sci-fi puzzle with a slow reveal, then Advance Man would be a great fit for you!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Jesi Mullins, Rio Soliz Ragazzone, Brett Garrett, and Michael Stejskal
When
Now through September 27, 2026
Where
The Factory Theater
1623 W. Howard St.
Chicago, IL 60626
Runtime: 2hrs 15min, including intermission
Tickets
$10+
Tickets can be purchased through the Strawdog Theatre website
Photos
Brandii Champagne
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Skyler Tipton, Emma Linderman, and Emerson Ross
CAST
Michael Stejskal (Bill Cooke)
Julie Partyka (Amelia Cooke)
Emma Lindermann (Ronnie Cooke)
Emerson Ross (Abbie Cooke)
Skyler Tipton (Conor)
Whitney Wolf (Valerie)
Jesi Mullins (Belinda)
Rio Soliz Ragazzone (Raf)
Brett Garrett (Kip)
Jordan Prather (Lynn)
Mab de Guzman (Understudy Ronnie)
Emma Anderson (Understudy Belinda / Lynn)
Irwin Daye (Understudy Bill Cooke)
Rich Adrian Lazatin (Understudy Raf / Abbie Cooke)
Lynsy Folckomer (Understudy Valerie)
Chelsea Bria (Understudy Amelia Cooke)
Ethan Carlson (Understudy Kip / Conor)
CREATIVE
Noah Elman (Director)
Brandii Champagne (Scenic Designer)
Ellie Humphrys (Lighting Designer)
Heath Hays (Sound Designer)
Kasey Wolfgang (Costume Designer)
Leo Bassow (Props Designer)
Kayla Menz (Intimacy Director)
Jillian Leff (Fight Director)
Ian Weber (Composer)
Mags Sowell (Stage Manager)
Andrew Lauzon (Production Manager)
Shay Gordon (Producer)
August Velez Miller (Poster Designer)