Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...I think this production, which features the usual craft and care one finds invariably at this theater, would be much better if it just moved more quickly, especially in Act 2, when things start to get repetitive. Much of that is on Phelps, who needs to better drive and engage in the story, but the whole show needs an injection of emotional urgency, and more light to go with the shade."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...The rather wispy scenario here is not all that different from the one in "Wonderful Town," currently running at the Goodman Theatre. But its heavily overplotted script (narrated by Jordan Phelps) is glued together with a large helping of pseudo-mysticism and far too many wondrous coincidences. And its creators have tied all the story's loose ends together by homing in on the "blackout of 1965," the massive early evening power outage in the Northeast that, as it did in real life, brings many things to a temporary stop, including New York City. (I remember it primarily because my father had to walk home from Manhattan, crossing the 59th Street Bridge and then trekking the many miles to our apartment in Queens.)"
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Nobody pulls off vocal harmonies quite like Theo Ubique. Partly, that's because few other companies utilize cozy spaces like the No Exit Cafe with as much blocking and acoustic aptitude. In this revival of a 2015 off-Broadway "darkly comic rock fable," director Fred Anzevino and music director Jeremy Ramey achieve many of the surround-sound, spine-tingly moments the ensemble is known for. Whether or not the indie-pop show-set during the 1965 New York blackout-has legs of its own is a different question."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Above all, its core strength are the unforced and often exhilarating portrayals-Romney's sweetly sad Harold, Anderson's questing Miriam, and Korchan's dynamic Daphne. (As the odd man out, Stombres makes Joey's final catharsis plausibly philosophical.) Fly by Night proves every bit as true as it's cute. Even better, it's unafraid to feel a lot even if we can't always return the favor."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...They have taken large production shows and brought them down to cabaret size, never missing a beat or taking anything out of the story, and now, they are doing a Chicago premiere, an off-Broadway musical, "Fly by Night", written by Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick and Kim Rosenstock. One might call this a Chamber Musical, although it has more dialogue than most of them, but in the intimacy of this storefront on Glenwood, I think, Chamber Musical works best!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...While this little-known musical feels a bit long and sometimes overly sentimental, Fred Anzevino’s charming production makes a welcome contrast to the bitterness and hatred that’s permeating our world today. Harold, Miriam and Daphne’s triangular tale of fate, set to music that’s infectious, if not entirely memorable, is touching and enjoyable. Featuring a cast of talented performers, many of them newcomers to this Rogers Park venue, this affectionate musical fable about fate is a welcome story to usher in the Fall."
Irish American News - Highly Recommended
"...Jordan Phelps, as the narrator, is captivating. His ubiquitous talent seems to know no bounds. He can easily switch character mid-sentence and still have us believing in whatever mask he dons. His abilities shine throughout this show. Kyrie Anderson, as Miriam, is well adept at making us believe in her heartfelt hopes and fears. Anderson shows a real depth of understanding her character. She takes us on the roller coaster of emotions that love brings."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Recommended
"...Music Director Jeremy Ramey and his band are simply top-notch, and musical highlights abound. They include the first act’s “Circles in the Sane, Daphne Dreams, More Than Just a Friend” and “Stars I Trust” and Act 2’s “I Need More,” “At Least I’ll Know I Tried,” “Me With You” and “Cecily Smith.”"
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...With Romney, director Fred Anzevino proves once and again he has an eye for talent. It isn't a keen sense of discovering them (Mr. Romney has a number of stage credits to his name), but rather an ability to match a talented actor with a promising role, then step back and allow the performer's work to speak for itself."
