Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Would I recommend "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" to those with no connection to Alcoholics Anonymous? Probably not, although alcoholics impact the lives of their family and thus there is a whole raft of people out there who feel a similar level of gratitude to the organization, even if they were never burdened by the addiction themselves. Many of them were there on Sunday, clearly, sitting next to the person they loved. It was a moving sight, even though everyone was enjoying themselves."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...This is a play where the potential appeal is feeling like we get deep, human insight into two historically significant, unlikely figures: so deeply flawed, so hurtful to their loved ones, and ultimately so positively influential. We don’t get that here. “Bill W. and Dr. Bob” is about the possibilities of personal transformation, but in this production the characters’ inner journeys feel flat."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...But though the story feels pretty predictable, there are some engaging and thoughtful moments here. At one point, Bill learns that his friend, Ebby (Phil Aman, who also plays several other roles), who was the one who finally got him to commit to sobriety, has started drinking again. His anguish and fear is palpable. Wettermann and Rude show us the strain of being the ones to constantly witness the damage done by their husbands’ inability to control their drinking."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...Currently, in the recently re-opened Victory Gardens/Biograph Theatre in Lincoln Park, a theater company( Theatre 68) has set up "house" in the upstairs Richard Christiansen "studio" to bring such a play to life. The play is called "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" written by Samuel Shem & Janet Surrey, and it is the story of a stockbroker, Bill Wilson ( played to perfection by Ronnie Marmo) and a surgeon, Dr.Bob Smith ( deftly handled by Thomas F. Evans), both alcoholics, and how together they were able to not only conquer their own problems, but to collaborate and create a program where those who were ready to quit and go forward could, and more importantly would!"
Buzznews.net - Recommended
"...Dr. Bob (Steve Gelder turns in a great performance) is a different kind of drunk, happier, playful-but as a surgeon he is playing with fire every time he operates either hungover, or possibly under the influence. His wife Anne Smith (Elizabeth Rude is excellent) turns to religion, and attends services at the Oxford Group, which had some success helping alcoholics. There she befriends Ebby Thatcher, a recovering alcoholic who reaches out to Dr. Bob. His atheism makes Oxford Group repellant, but eventually Bill Wilson shows up at Dr. Bob's doorstep in Ohio, in his quest for a solution to his alcoholism, Wilson sobers up with Oxford, and is introduced to Dr. Bob to see if he can help him."
Third Coast Review - Somewhat Recommended
"...Ronnie Marmo directs this play, written by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey. Despite its clear appeal for “friends of Bill and Bob,” the script needs improvement in story clarity and the staging needs more creativity in production values. "
Splash Magazine - Recommended
"...The stagecraft is spare, chairs and a table, the 30’s era costumes refreshingly modest. Marmo, veteran of stage and screen, is a brooding presence, strong and wry, deep-voiced, modest and unashamed; he loves his character wife who’s had enough, begs her to stay, carries on when she leaves, welcomes her back, exults with gregarious-fed-up-with-self Gelder- they think they have the solution-and they do! The actors are credible and believable, and so is the program.”"
