SOME NICE THINGS CRITICS HAVE SAID ABOUT adam OVER THE YEARS
2017 - DEATH OF A SALESMAN
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"[Director] Scott also has a couple of aces up his sleeve in the smaller roles of Charley (played by Adam Bitterman) ... he is giving such a delicious, scene-stealing performance, with a perfect roughshod New York accent, that I wanted to follow him off stage and watch whatever play Charley should have been starring in."
2024 - the diary of anne frank
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★★
“…[Anne’s] father Otto [is] played to perfection by Chicago favorite Adam Bitterman.”
2022 - THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
RECOMMENDED
★★★
“Bitterman’s acting in this role is extraordinary! Brash and impertinent, he steals the show! What a pistol! Seeing his performance is reason enough to see this production!”
2019 - BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★
“The always reliable Adam Bitterman…"
2018 - FROST/NIXON
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★★
"The ensemble does a masterful job ... Adam Bitterman (as Swifty Lazar) is magical."
2017 - I SAW MY NEIGHBOR ON THE TRAIN AND I DIDN'T EVEN SMILE
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★
"Bitterman in a strong character portrayal that proves there are no small parts - he is dynamic..."
2017 - CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION
"One of my favorite Chicago character actors ... Bitterman does a great job..."
2016 - THE SEEDBED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★
“A sparkling performance by Adam Bitterman…”
2016 - THE DRAWER BOY
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★★
FEATURED PLAY OF THE WEEK
“[As] the dark and sardonic Morgan … Bitterman perfectly maintains a slightly gruff, dead seriousness throughout the play…”
2019 - BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★
“Bitterman [is] remarkable … vitriolic and threatening. Imagine … the guttural punch of his voice booming off the walls, and you have the gist of … the intrinsic experience of high drama…”
2018 - FROST/NIXON
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★★
"Delightfully oiled and calculating..."
2017 - I SAW MY NEIGHBOR ON THE TRAIN AND I DIDN'T EVEN SMILE
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★
"Ensemble acting at its volatile best ... [Bitterman] delivers so persuasively that you forget that it’s an actor..."
2017 - DEATH OF A SALESMAN
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★★
"Peak moments of this production ... Bitterman plays with no-nonsense directness and palpable compassion ... the exchange between Bitterman and Parry is a piece of work..."
2016 - THE SEEDBED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★
"A roundly rewarding - more accurately, disturbing - quartet of actors ... Bitterman imbues [Mick] with an appealing earthiness and unbuttoned honesty ... mesmerizing ... brilliantly articulate..."
Read My "Role Playing" Interview Here
2016 - THE DRAWER BOY
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
★★★★
"Bitterman brings a muted high intensity to the man's torment and to his love..."
2019 - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED & "TOP PICK"
“Of all the Dr. Watsons we have known, Bitterman’s is the best of the best.”
2019 - BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED & "TOP PICK"
"Bitterman’s stoic and distinctive New York Police Lieutenant sets the world of the play … particularly guffaw-inducing…"
2018 - ARMS AND THE MAN
RECOMMENDED & "TOP PICK"
“Adam Bitterman … commands our attention with his stage presence and resonate voice.”
2018 - FROST/NIXON
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED & "TOP PICK"
"That Redtwist veteran Adam Bitterman becomes huckster/promoter Swifty Lazar is perhaps less startling to those who have seen him before. But do prepare to long for more Mike Wallace, another role that Bitterman takes on in a relatively brief cameo."
2017 - DEATH OF A SALESMAN
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"When Willy’s friend and neighbor Charley, gives his graveside summation ... This is a soliloquy delivered so naturally by Bitterman that you walk away wondering if he is acting as this New Yorker wise man or if he is him ... When [he] delivers these so memorable lines ... It’s as if we, the audience, go through a short course on method acting in our seats."
2022 - THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“Adam Bitterman is a hoot…”
2019 - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“Adam Bitterman[‘s] delivery is key to the production's alternately macabre and wryly humorous tone.”
2018 - FROST/NIXON
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"The cast is top-notch ... Adam Bitterman as both Swifty Lazar and Mike Wallace [is] a particular standout."
2017 - CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION
RECOMMENDED
“Bitterman lives his character … his pathos comes through in his painful and pathetic end.”
2016 - THE SEEDBED
RECOMMENDED
“Bitterman is particularly memorable … roguish charm … surprisingly cool…”
2016 - THE DRAWER BOY
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“Bitterman’s subdued guilt … is strongly performed…”
2015 - THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION
“Anchoring the story with [a] wonderful performance…”
2014 - HOLMES & WATSON
RECOMMENDED
"I was impressed by several things … One, the strong and varied performance by Adam Bitterman who returns to Chicago after twenty years in LA. He is a master craftsman of dialect; articulate, and easily comfortable with fast-talking descriptive language utilizing Irish, Cockney or RP, Scottish—even German-Bohemian accents. His facial expressions are telling as he deftly conveys either the angst or the depths of humor in a scene are a pleasure to watch. His Dr. Watson is a marvel to witness. Welcome back to Chicago."
2022 - THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
“Adam Bitterman…did fantastic work...”
2019 - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
RECOMMENDED
“Adam Bitterman reprises the role of Watson … He is fantastic in the part. He has a booming voice and commanding presence…”
2018 - ARMS AND THE MAN
RECOMMENDED
“Adam Bitterman was outrageous (in a good way) … with a booming voice as he stretched his lithe body to the fullest physical and comical extent.”
2016 - PARACHUTE MEN
"The always excellent Adam Bitterman..."
2014 - HOLMES & WATSON
RECOMMENDED
“Adam Bitterman as Watson … exquisitely narrates and portrays Holmes’ friend … [he] is energetic and eloquent, particular in his mastery of various required dialects. He certainly keeps this production moving along at respectably clipped pace.”
2022 - THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“Adam Bitterman is fantastic and hilarious as Christy’s bludgeoned father … funny and filled with outrageous blarney…”
2019 - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
“Bitterman [is] tremendously effective at embodying the famous sidekick … His narrative is forceful and clear … he is a wonderful performer…”
2019 - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
“Even more remarkable is Adam Bitterman as Watson … Bitterman’s Watson is empathetic, loyal, intelligent, kind, and sometimes befuddled, all played with nuance, skill, and charisma. Indeed, Bitterman’s rock-solid performance is the core of the show…a compelling lead.”
2015 - THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION
“[Watson] is the rock the entire production must be built on. How fortunate it is that City Lit has a most able rock of a Watson in Adam Bitterman … Like all good Watsons, Bitterman never plays [him] as dim, he is simply outclassed by Holmes, like everyone. Anywhere else, he might be the smartest person in the room.”
2016 - THE DRAWER BOY
RATING d20 - "one of the best"
top 5 shows of 2016
“The work done by the actors … consistently reinforced the play’s universe … skillfully acted.”
"I’m pretty sure I could watch Adam Bitterman and Brian Parry act together all year long and be happy."
2014 - HOLMES & WATSON
RATING d12 - "heckuva good show"
top 5 shows of 2014
“It doesn’t hurt that [Holmes] has a fantastic Watson (Adam Bitterman) to play against. Watson is our narrator, and in so doing also becomes other characters in the play. This includes a hilarious turn as the King of Bohemia and a host of minor passersby – all impeccably distinct, one from another.”
2019 - BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
“Adam Bitterman is outstanding as Lieutenant Caro.”
2016 - THE SEEDBED
“The delightfully grizzled florist charms us with nerve and backbone … there's hardly room enough to contain the charm and ferocity of Adam Bitterman (Mick), who might as well pack up the scenery and take it home, because it belongs to him.”
2016 - THE DRAWER BOY
★★★★
“Bitterman is a revelation as the salt of the earth Morgan. His distinctive gravelly voice and pragmatic disposition find notes of grace, humor, and fear in this wholly inhabited character.”
2014 - HOLMES & WATSON
“Bitterman ... delivers a strong, charismatic performance…”
2015 - THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION
“The performances are strong across the board, especially from Adam Bitterman as Watson…”
2014 - HOLMES & WATSON
RECOMMENDED
“The buffoonish King of Bohemia (played amusingly by Adam Bitterman, who is also quite convincing as Watson) … [Holmes’] sacrifice is showcased well in Watson’s almost palpable grief over losing such a dear friend.”
2024 - the diary of anne frank
★★★½
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“…Otto Frank, played with stirring leadership and fondness for his daughter...by Adam Bitterman...”
2022 - THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
"…watch Bitterman with your eyes open: he’s in a comedy and he knows it and more than earns his share of guffaws."
2019 - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
recommended
“Bitterman’s talent and experience with the character may very well be the reason why he takes such a vigorous command of the role. In this adaption, [he] is tasked to narrate and drive the play and does it without skipping a beat. Bitterman’s performance allows the audience to understand why Doyle never wrote a mystery from Sherlock’s perspective … Dr. Watson has never been as alluring…”
2019 - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
recommended
“Top Chicago actors … Dynamic duo, James Sparling and Adam Bitterman … are the epitome of Holmes and Watson and a joy to see in action. The rapport of these consummate storytellers is palpable and makes this production a must see.”
2017 - DEATH OF A SALESMAN
"Adam Bitterman as Charley ... steals every scene he is in. His worn in, pitch perfect Brooklyn accent and dry delivery provide the play’s few moments of respite from the ever mounting pressure cooker of Arthur Miller’s story."
2014 - HOLMES & WATSON
RECOMMENDED
★★★
“Seemingly not the obvious choice for the role of Watson, the solidly built Bitterman brings a great deal of energy and versatility to the character; his vocal prowess and diverse physicality are evident … Mr. Bitterman's voice, [is] impressive and effective in guiding us through some confusing moments in the text…”
2014 - HOLMES & WATSON
“Bitterman switches roles seamlessly becoming a Bohemian Crown Prince, back to Watson to whatever minor character is called for in the scene … The acting in this case is superb”
OLDER LOS ANGELES REVIEWS
A POUND OF FLESH at Sacred Fools Theatre
“Bitterman is so powerful that he solicits a range of sympathy ... From shamed admiration and emulation to even an elusively masculine sexuality, [he] is fierce, eloquent ... and compelling.”
“Adam Bitterman’s powerful portrayal … makes a handsome centerpiece for the production… ”
“Adam Bitterman is wise, cynical and at times heartbreaking...”
“A standout … bristling with anger and pain … terrifically entertaining...”
HEAVEN at Sacred Fools Theatre
“Riveting … shifts from jocular to psychotic on a hairpin trigger…”
“Bitterman is a revelation … prowling the stage with feral grace... ”
“There’s nobody better at playing bad...”
MAD BOY CHRONICLE at 21st St. Theater
“A lusty, bellicose thug brilliantly portrayed by Adam Bitterman...”
COPS at The Steve Allen Theater
“Adam Bitterman gives a terrific performance ... without ever veering into caricature.”
“Particularly outstanding…”
THE FICTIONIST at Sacred Fools Theatre
“Bitterman fits impressively into his role...”
TUESDAY at Sacred Fools Theatre
“Particularly grand...”
“Particularly impressive...”