Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You, Tell Your Friends presented by Theo Ubique Theatre Co. at No Exit Cafe

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Thomas is one of those talented local performers who gets typecast in the wrong roles—she seems to always be playing some variation on a hooker with a loud mouth and big heart. Here, at last, she gets to discipline her huge voice and show us something of her soul—along with a few dirty jokes to banish the political correctness of the working week."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...The Theo Ubique Theatre Company's new musical finds Belle rehearsing for a gig, interspersing off-color patter with personal reminiscences about failed relationships and multiple marriages. Joanne Koch's script and Owen Kalt and Ilya Levinson's songs are derivative and forgettable. But the jokes are hilarious, and Bethany Thomas's brassy delivery is on the money. Director Fred Anzevino's intimate staging costars Courtney Crouse as the men in Belle's life."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...Barth's ribaldry is relatively tame by today's standards. ( “A vagina is the box that a penis comes in.” ) But at the remount in the No Exit Café, under the direction of Theo Ubique's Fred Anzevino, the leisurely set-up-for-the-punch delivery of the period, along with Thomas' gemütlich presence and razor-sharp phrasing, elevated the mossiest gags ( “Do they cook any other parts of the matzoth?” ) to a minty freshness that had audiences doubled over with laughter. G'wan—see if you don't chortle at the one about the proctologist and the flowers!"

Centerstage - Recommended

"...Whether playing out various adult situations or portraying the internal drama of Belle Barth’s life, Ms. Thomas handles everything with her signature strength and finesse. In fact, the real reason for seeing this show is Bethany Thomas herself: she is a powerhouse, a true force of nature. The theatre community is indeed fortunate to have this multitalented performer sharing her talent on stages all over Chicago. And, thanks to Fred Anzevino’s subtle direction, this show belongs to her."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...The bits of Barth’s real-life blue material are delicious. (“What’s ten inches long and white? Nothing.”) But Koch’s storytelling reduces Barth’s life to simplistic themes like daddy issues, and Levinson’s forgettable music—snippets really, not complete songs—and Kalt’s wince-inducing lyrics (“Jokes concerning whores and gays / soon made me the latest craze”) lead us to daydream how much nicer it would be to hear the songs by the likes of Ruth Wallis and Russ Morgan that Barth actually used in her act."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...Gerald H. Bailey piano work and his arrangements gave Levinson’s music a lively flavor. But the star of the show is the fabulously real take of Belle Barth by Bethany Thomas."