Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Much as I enjoyed hearing the work of Jim DeSelm (a lovely tenor), Robert Hunt (a rich Broadway singer) and Evan Tyrone Martin (truly one of the Chicago's theater most interesting young vocalists) I did miss a silver fox in the lineup - a singer of a certain age who might bring to mind and to performance the work of Bennett over the past two decades. When a singer is still working at 90, he's been a mature and thus complex presence to his audience for years. That's an oversight here - and as a consequence, you don't feel the sadness or complexity that is never far away when Bennett sings."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...With blissfully little chit-chat but lots of mood shifts, the revue, created by David Grapes and Todd Olson (and first produced in Florida in 2005), features almost three dozen numbers, with arrangements by Vince di Mura that are often creative, if sometimes trying a bit too hard for novelty. As we are told, Bennett, “a singer in love with singing,” abided by the advice of his idol and champion, Frank Sinatra, who said “just sing the good songs” and you’ve got it made. He did just that, with simplicity and directness of interpretation the keys to his success.
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...The 34 standards, strung together concert style, never illustrate Bennett's life, style, or cultural contributions. The show is ultimately an evening of songs recorded by any number of crooners during the last 70 years. Director Kevin Bellie rearranges his three singers-Jim DeSelm, Robert Hunt, and Evan Tyrone Martin-and their microphone stands every few minutes, but struggles to elicit much that's personal from their technically admirable singing."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...33 Bennett standards set just that, a level of excellence that does mean a thing since they all have that swing. Adding anecdotes along the way, juicy tales to jump start the songs, Bellie's serenaders rise, over and over, to their 90-minute occasion. This "singer in love with singing" gets his dynamic due."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Music is special! When many of us are “down and out”, we can change our mood by listening to music, which will soothe the soul. When we think of great music, we also think of great performers who made that music a part of our lives. To many, that singer is Frank Sinatra (who by the way is featured in a show that will open soon in Munster), but one of the greats, would have to be Tony Bennett, who at the age of 90, is still strong and still recording, singing and reaching out to capture new audiences (YOUNG audiences!!!)."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...The evening ends with beautiful musical advice for everyone to “Make Someone Happy.” The lights slowly fade on a bare stage, festooned only with a swag of stylishly draped crimson curtains, and accented simply by the talented musical combo and the gifted performers, themselves. Such a charming, romantic winter evening of Tony Bennett’s music reminds us that, although it might feel far away, “You Must Believe in Spring.”"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Director Kevin Bellie presides over a powerhouse production. Staged as an intimate cabaret, he's put together all the pieces for a night to remember. His actors sing, saunter and sizzle with aplomb. His choreography is effortlessly cool. He is a smart director as well as a slick one. In any revue, there are biographical bits and venerating verbiage, but Bellie is careful to keep it conversational, the tone remaining organic. That level of calculated disaffect combined with devil-may-care abandon gives the show a genuine glee."
