What I liked
Many of the volatile political and cultural issues that Royko championed back in the day through his columns are still relevant today. Mitchell Bishop does a wonderful job of bringing this sad fact to our attention, without being overly-righteous or pretentious about it. The subtleties in this show are its greatest assets.
What I didn't like
Nothing at this point. I hope “The Toughest Man in Chicago” has a life beyond the Hollywood Fringe and eventually makes it way to Chicago, where the locals who really knew Royko can appreciate the long-over-due props that this show provides.
My overall impression
A topnotch portrayal of a 20th century journalistic icon, Mitchell Bishop does a fantastic job of embodying the very essence of Chicago columnist Mike Royko, to the point that you forget you’re watching a performance. On top of that, the development, writing, and pacing of this show keep you engaged from beginning to end.
