Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...What makes Brown's production hum is that he and his actors work against the embedded stereotypes, while still honoring the familiar sitcom tropes Ackerman uses. And most importantly, they don't make it seem like work at all."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...The playwright makes it fun for the most part, but doesn't challenge himself or his audience beyond the early provocations provided by Nancy's outburst, Gene's job, and Mr. Abramson's age. When Reader writer Brian Nemtusak reviewed the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy version of Things You Shouldn't Say back in 2004, he complained that the play ends just "when it starts getting interesting." And he was exactly right. Ackerman sets up all kinds of potentially knotty problems (I mean, a hit man?) and then just lets them lie there, their weirdest implications all but uninvestigated. The proceedings end with admissions that don't ring true, conciliations that come too easily, and a cute, ain't-it-the-truth little joke. Settling for a pleasantly ribald evening, Ackerman's opus lands far short of its savage potential. Indeed, he may be too good-hearted to devise a truly nasty sex farce: Ackerman went on to pen a sweet children's book called The Lonely Phone Booth."
Gapers Block - Recommended
"...Brown's directing is spot-on and his actors handle the fast-paced dialogue very well. The production takes full advantage of Kevin Depinet's scenic design, which uses the extended WCP playing space to angle bedrooms at each end with one in the middle. Jesse Klug's lighting makes the scene changes and the telephone interchanges work."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...But his Woody Allenesque character also illustrates the odd limitations of Ackerman's script, which wants to be wackily provocative enough to introduce a sensitive hitman with an intellectual side, but doesn't really want to explore him. Ackerman bounces his characters off each other entertainingly enough, but they're more collections of surface tics than plausible human beings."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight is silly, sexy fun with a veneer of yuppie relationship drama that I think works as entertainment for a sizable number of people. The Windy City Playhouse is likely experimenting with what gets a strong response, and continues to draw leading and up-and-coming talent to its hospitable venue."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...This play, while hilarious, is about what Nancy says in the height of passion. It’s about how words can slip out and hurt those around us and how much work it is to forgive. But, frankly, there are too many moments throughout the play that undercut any meaning from this production. From joke reactions in the background during climactic moments of truth to a sense of just not understanding that there is an actual message, the play ends up being all fluff with minimal substance. But, that fluff is incredible and for a night of laughs short of going to a comedy club, there aren’t many better places to be."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The play in question is “Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight” written by Peter Ackerman. The story is a comedy, that often becomes farcical. Directed by one of our city’s finest directors, William Brown, in this new venue that defines “black box theater” to perfection, it is indeed a very entertaining piece of work. For the record, it might have been better off being a 90 minute, no intermission play instead of two hours with a 20 minute intermission. A little trim here and there would make for a better transition from the 2nd bedroom to the 3rd."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T SAY PAST MIDNIGHT is a steamy sex-com for the summer. It reminded me of the bubbly 70s television show "Love American Style." Although it's a light-hearted, sexually-charged frolic, beware! Seeing it might influence pillow talk during climax... and that might not be a good thing."
