Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...There are bright spots, though, and thankfully one of them is Ryan Lanning's performance as Alfie. Lanning played Robbie Fay in a production at the old Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in 2008, which I also saw. Then as now, I thought he outshone the material; here, he has a lock on Alfie's core dignity, even if his boyish features don't quite match the picture of a man who's let his life pass him by."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Director Donterrio Johnson has cast actors with stellar voices and real musical and instrumental chops. Ciera Dawn's Adele, who Alfie casts as Salome, embodies her princess character with grace and a show-stopping soprano. Tommy Bullington is hilarious as Carney, his sometimes lead, foil, and sister's boyfriend. Christopher Davis wrenches tears with the tender "The Cuddles Mary Gave," remembering his late wife. While many of Stephen Flaherty's songs have a similar melodic structure, the honest lyrics by Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and powerful performances like those behind "The Streets of Dublin" keep the blood pumping."
Theatre By Numbers - Recommended
"...If it’s brilliance you want, look no further than Ciera Dawn as Adele Rice, another adept secret-keeper so steeped in anger and forboding for the future, that you feel her surprise at meeting people that embrace her wholeheartedly. Ryan Lanning’s Alfie Byrne is compelling beyond anything. It’s the smile with pain at the corners, the posture that hides him in an oncoming rush of wool coats, or the look of absolute panic when he’s sure you can see right through him."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...The ensemble work here is perfection. But it is Lanning's exquisitely limned turn as Alfie that ultimately makes the show. A man of much importance."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Donterrio Johnson has every reason to be bursting with pride over his accomplishments as a director of this excellent production. Both heartbreaking and heartfelt, this modest little musical sings with joy about being true to oneself, loving who you love and celebrating, with a fanfare, the man in the mirror."
Buzznews.net - Somewhat Recommended
"...This cast is features some very good singers, dancers, and performers. Though there are a couple somewhat wooden actors, most bring an infectious energy to the show, as do the characters they play in the rehearsal for Salome. Lanning is a polished tenor; and Nick Arceo’s baritone gives Robbie Fay the requisite manliness. Amanda Giles’ performance as Mrs. Curtin earned belly laughs, especially her proposal to transform the seductive “Dance of the Seven Veils” as a tap dance sequence."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Tenderly directed by Jeff Award-winning actor Donterrio Johnson, Chicagoland’s Billy Porter, this is a melancholy character study set to a gorgeous score that deserved much greater attention and acclaim than it received in a three-month off-Broadway run in 2002. Johnson has cast this show to absolute perfection, with each member adding a uniquely interesting character to the mix of a church theatre troupe in 1964 Dublin."
Chicago On Stage - Somewhat Recommended
"...In the end, though I did enjoy parts of this musical and I had nothing but admiration for its very talented cast and musicians, it just didn't work for me, and the blame lies with the banal score and wishy-washy script. This play is not even close to the standards set by Ahrens, Flaherty, and McNally. These actors-and for that matter these characters-deserved more."
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...In this writer’s view there is much to enjoy in this Celtic charmer of a musical (Music Director: Robert Ollis). Though none of the songs are ones you feel compelled to hum as you leave, they do give a lilt throughout, picking up where the accents leave off. If you love musical theater add this to your short list of top picks for your time."
