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- THE OCTOBER STORM--The outstanding ensemble cast is anchored by powerhouse actor Shariba Rivers, who plays Mrs. Elkins, the tightly wound young grandmother in desperate need of a reason to let her spine slip. Rivers’s portrayal of the terse matriarch is wry and profound as her inescapable gravity suspends the other characters for better or worse. --Sheri Flanders, Chicago Reader
- THE OCTOBER STORM--Under the direction of Malkia Stampley, this fast-paced show has a lot of intensity and veracity; young LaVonne is especially empathetic but the scenes between LaVonne and Rivers all pulse with high stakes. This is very much Chicago-style acting: fearless, powerful and, as the cliché goes, in your face. --Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
- THE OCTOBER STORM--Rivers plays the older woman made stoic and cruel to a tee, and her hardheartedness in the final moments will leave you with chills. --Tristan Bruns, Newcity Stage
- THE OCTOBER STORM--Ms. Stampley’s cast is led by the talented Shariba Rivers as Mrs. Elkins. Ms. Rivers returns to Raven Theatre after her riveting performances in “Hoodoo Love,” “House of Blue Leaves” and “Dividing the Estate.” Any production that features this magnificent actress is well worth experiencing, and her portrayal of this embittered woman, who only wants to connect with someone—anyone—is both powerful and heartbreaking. --Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
- THE OCTOBER STORM--Shariba Rivers gives a knockout performance as Mrs. Elkins, the owner of a two-flat and guardian of her teenage granddaughter Gloria (Jaeda LaVonne). Rivers was also a standout in Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind at Timeline Theater. --Kathy D. Hey, Third Coast Review
- THE OCTOBER STORM--Answering the door is Mrs. Elkins (the always excellent Shariba Rivers), a 51-year-old widower raising her 16-year-old granddaughter. She has a stoic countenance about her. This is a woman who has endured pain and lost.... No one looks better in 60’s fashion than Shariba Rivers. --Wesley David, Buzz Center Stage
- TROUBLE IN MIND--TimeLine’s production stars Shariba Rivers as Wiletta, and it’s a stunning performance that should not be missed. Rivers, to me, has always been an intensely watchable and interesting presence on stage, no matter the material, and it’s a pure joy to see her move here with nimble leaps from sardonic asides to anguished take-no-prisoners confrontations with Tim Decker’s Manners. --Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader
- TROUBLE IN MIND--As Wiletta, Rivers is the true beating heart of this production. She has an absolute star turn. Rivers's Wiletta has a quiet power to her; she always holds herself in high esteem, but her moments aren't all big. The power sometimes lies in the ways in which Wiletta feels forced to constrain herself even when she has more to say, and Rivers finds just the right moments to let it all out. She finds command in both the more intimate moments, such as her congenial exchanges with Henry, and in her moments of rage, in which she refuses to stand down when Al attacks her. --Rachel Weinberg, Broadway World
- TROUBLE IN MIND--The pitch perfect direction by OJ Parson seems to let every actor in this production shine, and especially gives Shariba Rivers an opportunity to deliver a tour de force performance. In the intimate space of the Timeline Theatre, we easily see her tears well and her facial muscles quiver. You too may feel that Rivers’ performance is what most plants the Wiletta Mayer character of Childress’ pen in our imagination.... Anyone who loves theater’s ability to say something important – as lead character Wiletta Mayer craves it to do—will be well-served by changing their schedule to see this show. --Amy Munice, Picture This Post
- TROUBLE IN MIND--But the focus of the night, and of this production, is on an experienced actor named Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers).... Rivers digs very deep here and, as her character talks to fellow performers richly played by Kenneth D. Johnson, Vincent Jordan and Tarina J. Bradshaw, the show ripples with energy, anger and the moral dilemma known to anyone who has inhabited a competitive workplace: when to tell the bosses what they want to hear and when to take a stand. --Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune
- TROUBLE IN MIND--The words in this play are more powerful and moving than the actors, but this is not to say the core of actors chosen for this production wasn't outstanding because they were.... Also making her debut is the incredibly talented Shariba Rivers, whose performance of Wiletta Mayer is outstanding. --Rick McCain, Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
- TROUBLE IN MIND--But the star of this show (and indeed the star of the play within the play) is veteran actress Wiletta Mayer (magnificently played by Shariba Rivers) who as the play progresses, gets fed up with the racism and stereotyping that the play within the play requires her to perform.... We watch as Wiletta transforms, indeed merges the seasoned actress we see in the opening the show to the woman underneath her character. We watch as Wiletta comes to realize that the demands and expectations put on these characters should not, indeed cannot, be portrayed anymore. --Paul M. Lisnek, Around the Town Chicago
- TROUBLE IN MIND--Rivers is outstanding, especially in a second act in which Wiletta takes a vehement stand against the director, whose vision of the play turns all of the Black characters into simpering, bent-over caricatures of real people in real situations. --Karen Topham, Chicago on Stage
- TROUBLE IN MIND--Shariba Rivers, who dazzled audiences in Raven’s “Hoodoo Love” and Paramount’s “Sweat,” is once again spectacular as Wiletta Mayer.... The electrifying chemistry that sizzles between Ms Rivers and Mr. Decker points up their characters’ inability to effectively communicate to each other. The scene becomes a bloodshed battleground. --Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
- TROUBLE IN MIND--Directed by Ron OJ Parson and featuring a solid cast headed by the remarkable Shariba Rivers, who exudes intelligence and strength, the play at first seems dated, even creaky, until the continuing relevance of issues like equality, power, representation and appropriation sinks in. --Anne Spiselman, Hyde Park Herald
- SWEAT--The action unfolds in a blue collar, Pennsylvania bar and favorite watering hole for longtime friends and co-workers: Cynthia (a strong, purposeful Shariba Rivers), who aspires to move from the factory floor to the management ranks.... The cast -- made up mostly of Chicago veterans new to Paramount -- is superb. The acting is impassioned and credible. --Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald
- SWEAT--Shariba Rivers is magnificent as Cynthia. She makes us understand the pain and helplessness her character feels when placed in the uncomfortable, unenviable position of having to supervise her friends and co-workers during a difficult economic situation. --Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
- SWEAT--One of the workers, Cynthia (played to perfection by Shariba Rivers) is promoted to a management position....This is a strong cast of players. --Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago
- GOODS--Sam listens to a static-laden radio or eats M&Ms or tries to read one of Marla’s pirate-themed romances (in an effort to understand her friend better) when she isn’t meditating or conversing with her partner. Butler and her cast do an excellent job of portraying the absolutely repetitive boredom of this job despite its exotic setting.... Rivers’ younger (though, hey, they have been in this gig together for twenty years, so not that much younger), more emotionally volatile Sam also dreams of eventually retiring (perhaps ironically to a house in the middle of nowhere).... Both actresses turn in stellar performances.--Karen Topham, Chicago On Stage
- GOODS--As Sam, Shariba Rivers is quite simply a treasure. Seen before the pandemic at Rivendell Theatre in “The Tasters,” and at Raven Theatre in the exciting “Hoodoo Love,” Ms. Rivers once again electrifies the stage with her natural delivery and honest portrayal. There’s always more than meets the eye in Shariba Rivers’ characters, and this is true of Sam.--Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
- THE SPIN--The cast includes a commanding Mike Ooi as Loren, in tandem with a quietly powerful Shariba Rivers as Deidre as the fearless ringleaders of the circus.--Lynn Beaver, Broadway World
- SCHOOL GIRLS--Rivers’ portrayal of a fading star who is looking to gain notoriety once more is both brilliant and tragic.--Tim Leininger, Journal Inquirer
- THE TASTERS--Rivers turns in such a spectacular performance as the leader of the rebellion, captured by the government and forced to be a taster. Stoic, passionate, sly and caring, it’s hard to see how anyone could turn down the powerhouse leader that is Rivers’ Elyse. --Jerald Pierce, Chicago Tribune
- THE TASTERS--Rivers’ Elyse has unmistakable, irresistible authority. There’s no flash or once-more-into-the-breach heroics, yet it’s clear Elyse is a charismatic warrior who could lead armies through the very gates of hell. --Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun Times
- THE TASTERS--The actors portraying the trio of tasters dig deeply into their roles’ backstory and situation, producing characters that are intense, layered and plausible within the story’s context. Pereira’s ultimately traumatized and disillusioned Corrine and Rivers’ commanding yet vulnerable Elyse are rounded, compelling personalities. --Hugh Iglarsh, Newcity Stage
- THE TASTERS--Elyse is played with strength and cool bravado by the always marvelous Shariba Rivers (“Hoodoo Love” at Raven)....another excellent performance from Shariba Rivers --Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
- THE TASTERS--Rivers electrifies, even silently, as she shifts her focus inwards or out. --Amy Munice, Picture This Post
- HOODOO LOVE--Shariba Rivers steals the show as Candylady, the village elder who has outlived 5 husbands, slavery, and the limitations of others. Rivers plays the part with gutsy and unapologetic gusto, bringing constant belly laughs while exploring hard truths about relationships, human nature, and her own limitations. She serves not only as a spiritual guide, but also as a satirical foil for mocking the shortcomings of religion. --Sheri Flanders, Perform Ink
- HOODOO LOVE--Shariba Rivers is a total triumph as Candylady. The kind of actor who could make the phonebook riveting, Rivers tears into the many layers of Toulou’s enigmatic neighbor, peeling back wit, will, and a deep sorrow, bringing to life a storied witch as much resigned to fate as her ability to alter it. She earns the show’s biggest laughs, and with clever choices that imply she could be a con artist just better at her job than Jib, or an actual simple-living sorceress, there’s no doubt Shariba Rivers has powers. “You want salvation, go to church. You want something done, come to me.” --Ian Rigg, Chicagoland Musical Theatre
- HOODOO LOVE--The always wonderful Shariba Rivers returns to Raven as the mysterious and magical Candylady. Having impressed audiences in productions of “Dividing the Estate” and “House of Blue Leaves,” Ms. Rivers dazzles and delights in each and every scene. She’s always fully committed and offers a special charismatic clairvoyance to this play, replaying everything through her facial expressions and body language. This actress continually captivates and mesmerizes throughout the play, leaving her presence in the memories of theatergoers. --Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
- HOODOO LOVE--While there is literal magic on stage in scenes deserving their own rounds of applause, palpable magic is felt between Martasia Jones and Shariba Rivers as Toulou and Candylady, respectively....Rivers brings much needed levity to the stage with her mysterious Candylady. --Amanda Finn, New City Stage
- HOODOO LOVE--In love both with Ace and with the idea of being a singer herself, Toulou enlists the help of Candylady (a riveting Shariba Rivers), the local "root woman," to bind his heart to hers.... it's her relationship with Rivers's Candylady, who carries in her own mojo bag memories of slavery and of all the husbands she's lost, that resonates most honestly. --Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader
- UNWELL: A MIDWESTERN GOTHIC MYSTERY--Lily, the protagonist played by Shariba Rivers, is fractious and irritable, having been forced to come down to the town she hates to help her mother, but believably so, completing tasks that she feels compelled to in order to protect her mother’s health....Rivers and Harman enact a contentious, sometimes emotionally abusive, sometimes awkwardly loving, relationship with a long history, parallel to the house that is falling apart around them. --Elena Fernández Collins
- UNWELL: A MIDWESTERN GOTHIC MYSTERY--Played by Shariba Rivers, Lily, Unwell‘s protagonist, is prickly in a way that feels justifiable, or at least relatable. There’s a sense of both duty and frustration in her performance that helps Lily feel grounded–something that accentuates the strangeness that seeps into every part of Mt. Absalom. --Wil Williams, Wil Williams Reviews