Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...To procreate or not is one of our more crucial decisions on this planet. "The Kid Thing" isn't the only play on this topic; Rebecca Gilman's "The Crowd You're In With" explored some of the same themes. But at this juncture, the trouble with Gubbins' play is that the conversation remains almost entirely in the abstract — and almost entirely about the lives of those who will (or won't) be parents. The kid thing. The kid thing. The dilemma gets hit so often and so hard, it becomes repetitive — even indulgent. Don't these people ever talk about anything else? Nobody seems to have thought much about the actual kid, or kids, who presumably will not be just a thing. Or things."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Gubbins has a deft way with dialogue, and the actors, under the direction of Joanie Schultz, bring total conviction to their roles. But there is much that is forced and tedious along the way to the big reveal, even if that reveal is admirably frank and forthright."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...The Kid Thing is character-driven rather than plot-driven, a play of talk rather than action and a nice balance of sharp comedy and (mostly) drama. Especially in Act I, the dialogue—much of it over drinks and around the table—is witty and ultra-naturalistic, tumbling out of peoples' mouths quickly and overlapping, as directed by Joanie Schultz. Although it takes most of Act I for the actual storyline to emerge, you come to know the characters and their sometimes-unspoken attitudes very well. Gubbins's play isn't very complicated, yet it's far from simplistic. Ultimately, considering a kid becomes a wedge issue for Darcy and Leigh as it has been for countless other couples both hetero and homo."
Talkin Broadway - Somewhat Recommended
"...The Kid Thing will undoubtedly resonate among lesbians and provide insight into that community for those not so familiar with it. Anyone gay or straight who's thoughtfully wrestled with the decision to conceive or not conceive will relate as well. Also on the plus side is the pitch-perfect depiction of an Andersonville condo in the set by Chelsea Warren and props by Katherine Greenleaf. Izumi Inaba's costumes seem equally perfect for each character and Gubbins' Chicago references all clearly set the action in the community the local audience knows well. These resonances may be enough to make it enjoyable for its core audience, but the multiple and shifting sources of dramatic tension will keep it from being a fully satisfying script for wider crowd."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...Gubbins writes ace dialogue, and director Joanie Schultz and her terrific cast make the relationships among these four women feel utterly believable at their best moments and their ugliest. (Set designer Chelsea M. Warren’s pitch-perfect Bucktown condo adds to the realism.)"
Chicago Theatre Addict - Highly Recommended
"...Sarah Gubbins’ clearly personal new play about two lesbian couples facing “the kid thing” hit me right in the gut. The play’s gears get moving fast when Margot (Rebekah Ward-Hays) and Nate (Halena Kays) announce to their friends Darcy (Kelli Simpkins) and Leigh (Park Krausen) that they’re having a baby —a baby Margot is carrying. Leigh, the maternal one, rejoices, while Darcy, the “Rachel Maddow butch” one as Leigh describes her, recoils. After a few tense moments, Margot and Nate leave, which leaves Darcy and Leigh to discuss their thoughts on the subject. Darcy, a ball-busting PR executive, spins “the kid thing” as a pass to the poverty house —she’s convinced they’re not ready for it financially or mentally, while optimistic Leigh simply says, “It’s never the right time to have a baby.”"
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...The Kid Thing presents a fresh, positive and honest look at contemporary lesbian relationships. The work bravely tackles emotionally charged child rearing issues with deft aplomb. The show will stimulate thoughtful post show debates. It is worth a look."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended
"...There is a great hunger for works with lesbian characters. But why perpetuate the stereotypes? Are you surprised to learn that Leigh and Margot are the 'femmes' in the relationships, with the ambiguously named Darcy and Nate as the 'butches'? Did the plot twists in "The Kid Thing" persuade us that lesbians can't wait to get into the sack with hot guys? Why not drop all the pop references to Rachel Maddow and Olive Garden and just develop an authentic story of parents longing for children, and all the complexities sure to follow when The Kid actually arrives?"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Directed to perfection by Joanie Schultz on the wonderful set with great lighting (Sarah Hughey),sound (Miles Polaski) and props (boy are there props in this one) by Katherine Greenleaf, this is a solid piece of theater- one that gives us pause to think; to think about the changing times and the world itself. The technical use of the stage and the intimacy of the theater makes this a delightful and educational experience. It would be nice, if perhaps on Sundays when there is time to do so ( running time is two hours including a 15 minute intermission) to have discussions, in order to allow the audience to ask about some of the situations contained within the story. Oh, well. Maybe next time!"
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"...Is this show for everyone? Yes! The Kid Thing breaks and exploits stereotypes to educate on relationships and humanity. Everyone can do better in both!"
