Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...If only the performance had ended there. Text Me, commissioned especially to complement Waiting . . ., is another variation on hoping to meet a stranger, this one a musical (book, music, and lyrics by Kingsley Day) conducted largely in audible text messages. As Hogan awaits the man of his dreams, his friend Evans sits at a nearby table to cheer him on and/or check his fantasies of true love. She herself is engaged in a shaky, long-term-or-is-it relationship. Though the two of them display fine voices, having actors interact with their phones instead of each other limits our involvement with the characters, and the denouement is more like a punchline than the climax of a story."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...Right now, it's an unknown whether this conjoined creation of Waiting for Tina Meyer and Text Me will have the historic lasting power of other double bills (the famous operatic pairings of Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana is scenically referenced via a Pavarotti poster in Text Me). But despite some minor imperfections, City Lit's Two Hours in a Bar (which ironically has a running time shorter than its title) is unquestionably a charmer. For less than two hours, Two Hours in a Bar is time well spent."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...“Two Hours in a Bar” is a sweet, funny, and kind comedy with no violence, no drama, and no preaching to the audience. It’s just a fun performance of two new one-act plays, both of which are set in a bar. The world premiere of Kristine Thatcher’s play (with material by Larry Shue) is followed by the world premiere of Kingsley Day’s musical. Underlying both is the premise of meeting a very special someone whom one has never met before."
Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended
"...City Lit Theater's new production, TWO HOURS IN A BAR, is a double bill of new one acts. They are the world stage premiere of a play by Kristine Thatcher (with material by Larry Shue) and the world premiere of a musical by Kingsley Day. It is a night of one acts with only two things in common: they take place in a bar and have the same roster of actors. They were both directed by Terry McCabe, Set Design by Ray Toler, Lighting by Mike McShane, Costumes by Andres Mota, Stage Managed by Hazel Flowers-McCabe and Musical Direction was by Shraman Ghosh."
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...City Lit Theater has a long and illustrious history in Chicago starting in 1979. They take works of literature and make them into staged works. They are often musicals or plays with music in them. Two Hours in a Bar is just what it sounds like-performed as two one-act plays. Artistic director Terry McCabe produces and directs these poignant and funny slices of life."
NewCity Chicago - Recommended
"...Despite the corny patina of a made-for-TV plot, the dialogue is fun and moves briskly. Robin, a feminist, regularly butts heads with Walter, rebuking his calls for "Hey, sweetheart" with sharp tongue lashings. Carl interjects with comedic and childish non sequiturs. Mencotti as The Lady steals the show, delivering sage-like advice in superb style, every line a gem, not a movement wasted. All await the arrival of Bob's mystery woman, which pays off with a twist ending that is predictable yet heartwarming."
