←Recommendations of Chalk

I produced and starred in Chalk in 2026 with my daughter. We live in a small town outside of Chicago that rarely gets to see works outside of the normal rotation in small town community theatres. The show was incredibly well received. Audience members raved about the mystery quality of the show and how fun it was to try and unravel the mystery along with the relationships. We were able to stage simply and for a very low cost using found materials to create the barn atmosphere.

Chalk is a thrilling, atmospheric play that cleverly mixes sci-fi tropes with real-world emotional depth. As Maggie and her daughter face a chilling standoff, the tension between them and their pasts is palpable. A gripping exploration of guilt, memory, and survival. A must-see for fans of intense, intimate drama.

A gripping thriller as Maggie tries to bring her daughter back from danger. Captivating and well done!

"Chalk" is a tightly-written, compelling thriller. Like all truly good horror/science fiction, it explores potent real-world themes--parent-child relationships, memory, guilt--using fantastical elements to heighten the conversation. We learn just enough about the circumstances of this world to feel wholly engaged, and have just enough left up to the imagination to keep it terrifying throughout. Maggie and Cora are well-drawn characters and I imagine that their conversations would crackle with electricity if I were to see this live!

I could not put this down once I started reading! It is told by 2 strong female characters with complex story lines! It's such a unique concept and really brings you into the world from the very beginning. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to read a love story between a very strong mother/daughter duo.

Chalk is a thrilling ride, super actable (two great, complex roles for women!), super producible, and super fun to watch. The compelling character-driven story makes you care what will happen to them in this fascinating, terrifying world, the rules of which we get to enjoy discovering bit by bit - and it's funny! Walt just knows how to tell a great story. And his joy in the work is infectious if you are ever lucky enough to get to work with him.

A lean, tense thriller about a mother trying to bring her daughter back from a dangerous present and the distance of a past all too near. Strong dynamics and fraught history between the two women give the play's battle of wills life and intensity. This is the first of McGough's work that I've read, and I'm certainly coming back for more.

I am a big fan of McGough's work in general. His plays often have an other-worldly quality to them and this play is no different. The play takes place in a post-apocalyptic environment and investigates the strained relationship between a mother and daughter. The characters are solid and the plot, while simple in it's structure is complex in the questions it asks. The conflict in the play is strong and very active as the two women try and navigate the rules in this new, uncertain world. This is a terrific vehicle for two actresses and is simple to produce.