Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...At least in this revised production, which is beautifully sung, “The Story of My Life” does not feel terribly trite or cloyingly sentimental in that Hallmark card mode. It's certainly true that the show strains, explicitly and ultimately unsuccessfully, to capture the simple charms of the stories of Mark Twain and the films of Frank Capra. But that's a worthy, populist, American endeavor. There are plenty of high fliers who owe everything to one friend. And the piece deftly explores how most writers and other artists need one crucial push at one crucial moment. It may be a truism but it's also true."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...This earnest, heartfelt, but monotonous show is essentially a collection of musical monologues by skillful songwriter Neil Bartram, tied together by Brian Hill's contrived, formulaic script. Staged by Broadway veteran Richard Maltby Jr., this slick production features a dynamic performance by Jack Noseworthy as the guilt-ridden Tom. Davis Duffield does as well as can be expected with the passive-aggressive role of Alvin."
Talkin Broadway - Recommended
"...The Story of My Life is again directed by Richard Maltby Jr., who had the same duties on the Broadway production. He makes great use of two terrific Broadway performers: Jack Noseworthy (Sweet Smell of Success and Jerome Robbins' Broadway) and Davis Duffield (Cyrano de Bergerac). Noseworthy shows us a believable connection with Alvin in a person who is much slicker and tougher than Alvin. Noseworthy has a powerful and pitch-perfect voice—if anything, it might be a little more than is required for this gently little piece—but it's an amazing instrument nonetheless. Duffield finds a way to play Alvin that's empathetic without being pathetic and has a pleasing singing voice with its own personality. The surreal set by Robert Kovach is a multitude of stacks of books—representing all the ideas in Thomas's head as well as the inventory in Alvin's store. Jonathan Tunick's orchestrations have been effectively reduced for a three-piece ensemble of piano, woodwinds and cello under the direction of Roberta Duchak."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...
The show itself, though, remains as mawkish and trite as an off-brand greeting card. The tale follows two childhood friends, one of whom becomes a successful writer of sentimental stories, the other a social misfit who, naturally, was the real inspiration for the former’s vignettes. It’s clear from the start that the awkward one, Alvin (Duffield), is dead; his memory haunts Thomas (Noseworthy), the author, who’s wrestling with writer’s block over his former friend’s eulogy."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...The fine orchestra – a piano, clarinet. oboe and cello under Roberta Duchak’s exquisite musical direction both set the tone (with some excellent Clarinet work by Rick Kissinger) and accompanied the vocals. Davis Duffield, as Alvin, was lovable and most empathic while Jack Noseworthy’s strong voice nicely landed Bartram’s songs. I was especially moved by Noseworthy’s emotional rendering of the ‘Butterfly’ song. With both players on stage throughout the 1 hour, 40 minute show, the stage chemistry was telling and honest. The artistry in this intimate show is subtle yet evocative and its charm wins us throughout. The Story of My Life demonstrates the potential vibrant bond of lifelong friendship. It got me to call an old friend from my youth just to say: “Hello.” Don’t miss this beautiful tribute to true friendship. It’ll renew your faith in humanity. Kudos to Chicago Muse for mounting such a worthy show."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...The story focuses on best selling author Thomas Weaver, played by Jack Noseworthy, and his best friend Alvin Kelby, played by Davis Duffield. When Thomas can't seem to write for himself anymore, he calls upon his life long friend Alvin to push him in the right direction for writing another great story. The two converse on childhood memories, bringing up old laughs and moments of disappointment they've shared over the years. A very common yet powerful question faces Thomas: who exactly is the true inspiration for a writer's material? In the case of Thomas and Alvin, a best friend may be a little more than Thomas gives him credit for."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The music is not such that you will walk out humming. In fact, I doubt that you will recall any of the words or lyrics, but you will recall the emotions and the feelings inspired. After the show, in speaking with some of the other audience members, I remarked how much of it reminded me of works by Sondheim. He of course has inspired many young writers of musicals. If so, Bartram truly gets it! ( and I applaud him for this). The musial direction is handled by Roberta Duchak who has the talent to get actors to feel the music as it was written and the three musicians who fill the theater with these beautiful sounds are Valerie Maze ( conductor and piano), Rick Kissinger ( clarinet/oboe) and Jocelyn Davis-Beck(cello). This is ninety minutes of true magic as we watch the story unfold ( Maltby is indeed the magician) and although they do not list the prop person in the credits, whoever that be, they do one heck of a job. I guess credit should go to Stage manager Kristi Martens for making sure that the thousands of books stacked on the stage only fall when they are supposed to. At the end of the play, the crew has a big job cleaning up the 8 minute mess created by these two actors. It, I am sure, is worth it ,as this is a sterling production that will allow you, the audience to feel all the emotions that you have."
Chicago Theater Beat - Somewhat Recommended
"...Both the story and music of The Story of My Life owe much to Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along and Sunday in the Park with George. Merrily’s theme of friends and their influence on an individual’s creative growth is combined with Sunday’s meditations on the limits artists place on themselves, and both shows’ musical themes are reflected in Bartram’s score. The general lack of originality drags down the show, even though.Duffield and Noseworthy are capable performers, with Noseworthy hitting some particularly difficult notes with fantastic clarity and power. They try their hardest to make their characters realistic, but the source material’s flaws overcome their respective efforts. While the two actors never miss a beat, the beats are so derivative that, unfortunately, their talent is wasted."
