Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...Flaster has cast the piece exceptionally well, with actors of strikingly different types. The spunky Dana Tretta, at her considerable best here, gets "Broadway Boogie Woogie," the Kleban song that most anticipated his work on "A Chorus Line." The former Second City performer Jessica Joy, a very decent singer, gets the sexy fodder. And Tina Gluschenko is an understated presence as Sophie, the smart girl Kleban most loved in his crazy world, but when she opens her mouth there's a kind of moral intensity that fits this character wonderfully."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...The Porchlight production is the work of many such collaborating talents, but it is Bill Larkin, the actor who plays Kleban, who makes the whole thing explode with life. A relative unknown, Larkin seizes hold of the composer-lyricist’s soul in the most uncanny way, capturing the genius, the mental illness, the self-destructiveness, the perfectionism, the insecurity, the sweetness, the nerdiness and the sadness of this man who was often his own worst enemy, but who had that engine of creativity and that irrepressible ego that can keep an artist at work. Larkin gives an unforgettable performance."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Porchlight Music Theatre presents a first-rate Chicago premiere directed by Stacey Flaster, with musical direction by Beckie Menzie. Bill Larkin is pitch-perfect as the charming yet infuriating Kleban, and the seven-member supporting cast are equally splendid."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"... Stacy Flaster once again demonstrates her versatility as an accomplished director and choreographer, swiftly driving the show from scene to scene. Beckie Menzie’s incomparable musical direction and piano accompaniment complement the production. And Bill Larkin is astounding as Ed Kleban, bringing so much humor and sincerity to the artist’s manic quirkiness and passion for composing “One More Beautiful Song.”"
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Kline, Kleban’s longtime companion, doesn’t shy away from his spikier elements in this 2001 piece; Ed’s presented as neurotic, quirky, needy, frustrating and grudge-bearing. Yet this life story leaves out too much. It begins with Ed’s commitment to a mental hospital in college, but we never learn what might have led him to become such a mess. More important, we don’t see the charisma that keeps his friends loyal through decades of assholish behavior. And the music on display here, though well performed by Stacey Flaster’s strong cast, isn’t terribly impressive. When Ed’s lifelong friend Sophie (Tina Gluschenko) “betrays” the frustrated composer by suggesting his lyrics just might not be as good as his music, you might be inclined to agree."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...Because A Class Act is no mere trunk song revue and does not shy away from Kleban’s alienating quirkiness, you may find yourself relating to this character, one who is desperate to both connect with people and create, but often ends up in his own way. Under the tight lead of director/choreographer Stacey Flaster, this is not just a show for musical theater aficionados; it is emotionally-charged, funny, and even moving; it’s a fearless journey into the process of making a great musical, and a celebration of Ed Kleban—flaws and imperfections included—who left behind some incredible songs."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"... Kudos to Stacey Flaster’s tight, evocative production was sure was “A Class Act!” Get to Theater Wit to see Porchlight’s A Class Act so you can learn about Edward Kleban and enjoy a fine musical with an assortment of terrific tunes and a heartfelt character sketch. Don’t miss this gem!"
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Framed by Angela Weber Miller’s notation-crammed proscenium, all these quirks and oddities, lovable and exasperating, come together better in this tough musical than they did in life. His career from 1966 to the end was virtually fueled by the experiences he had and the once and future friends who he met at Lehman Engel’s master class for musical comedy aspirants. There he learned the difference between “charm” songs and the numbers that push the plot or illustrate the character."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...I love that Playwrights Linda Kline and Lonny Price brilliantly weaved their friend’s music into a musical about him. What better way to remember someone that you loved and lost? Ed Kleban is one, singular sensation and his work is immortalized in A CLASS ACT."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Well, here in Chicago, where theater lovers embrace new and fresh material, I have a feeling, we will give this show the love that it deserves. The play is called “A Class Act” with music and lyrics by Edward Kleban and a book by Linda Kline and Lonny Price. One might ask, who is Edward Kleban? Edward was a nerdy character who wanted nothing more in life than to create musicals- productions that would be performed in a large building with a huge audience of people who paid a lot of money to sit in those seats. This is his story!"
Huffington Post - Highly Recommended
"...A colorful cast under Stacey Flaster's fluid direction efficiently connects Kelban's elating highs and frequent lows. Dana Tretta and Jessica Joy play the part-time love interests, while Sharriese Hamilton is all sass as a driven music producer who views Kleban's talent as a meal ticket. Michael Glenn provides a colorful take on Lehman Engel, a famed Broadway conductor who was Kleban's mentor and first advocate. John Francisco and Zach Spound offer a good dose of eccentric Broadway genius as Michael Bennett and Marvin Hamlisch, respectively."
