Make Me a Song presented by Eclectic Theatre Company at Athenaeum Theatre

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...This intimate revue features more than 30 songs by brilliant composer-lyricist William Finn (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), whose songs address offbeat topics with driving, sometimes jittery rhythms, soaring melodies, and idiosyncratic lyrics that mix deep emotion and acerbic irony. Eclectic Full Contact Theatre's bare-bones production, directed by Christopher Pazdernik, features a strong cast-David Belew, Katherine Condit, Max DeTogne, and Jessica Fisher-under the musical direction of pianist Micky York."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...The songs from these shows are, however, very specific to their sources. That makes a worthy revue like Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn (and, of course, the lyrics too) somewhat problematic. Persuasively helmed by Christopher Pazdernik and faithfully performed by four very driven singers, this 95-minute retrospective from the fabulously named Eclectic Full Contact Theatre uproots the 30 songs as much as it honors them."

ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended

"...The performers all have the appropriate cheeriness for a revue and engage with the audience directly at a few points in the show. Musical director and pianist Micky York guides the cast quickly through the songs without ever lagging in energy, and occasionally he even joins in the singing. The problem is simply that, as a William Finn revue, these individual songs aren't already famous enough to rouse most people's excitement, or distinct enough to make lasting first impressions. The selections do not include anything from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, or Finn's recent adaptation of Little Miss Sunshine. Nor do most of them grant an opportunity for outstanding singing-they're designed to flow into each other, instead of being showstoppers, and those which are funny just bring a slight smile, instead of a big laugh. Fans of Finn will enjoy the show, of course, as will people who simply want to see a different kind of music."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended

"...I was very pleased that I was able to hear DeTogne sing some of my favorite Finn songs. But the concept wasn't clear. It's nitpicky, but it's also something that should be easy enough to have clarity on. I have to imagine the use of a "rehearsal"-esque space was meant to keep everything generally locationless, but it ended up having the opposite effect. At the end of the day, I'm a William Finn fan, so it's hard for me to dislike this show simply because Finn's songs are just so good. We all know coming in that this show is a conglomeration of everything Finn has written. So find a way to present them in the best and clearest way possible."

Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended

"...This evening of moving melodies, a representative assortment of some of William Finn’s finest songs, will most likely be fresh and new to most patrons. Certainly Finn’s work isn’t as familiar as Rodgers & Hammerstein or even Stephen Sondheim. However his rich, melodic music touches the audience as it digs into the heart and soul of what it means to be human. In Christopher Pazdernik’s skilled production, the songs are truly the stars of yet another fine production by Eclectic Theatre."

NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Condit's standout solo is "Only One," which she delivers with an emotional tenderness befitting the story of the song's lonely schoolteacher. DeTogne's "Hitchhiking Across America" leaves a memorable footprint as he engages the audience with his heartfelt depictions."