Last Night In Karaoke Town at Factory Theater

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...The rainbow of die-hards hanging out at owner Diana's joint could carry a production by themselves, so rife are they with quirks and infighting and opinions about Van Halen. And then you have Ethan, played by Tommy Bullington, who saunters in one fine day with his crates of pear cider and long black shawl to inform Diana (Wendy Hayne) that he's bought the building and intends to refine its spirits and sophisticate its settings. What follows is a raucous showdown between the dual opposing forces of innovation and authenticity. I can't say who wins. I can say that I laughed so hard at everything Bullington did that I thought I would be asked to leave the theater."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...The Factory Theater’s presentation of “Last Night in Karaoke Town” is an amazing feat of directing by the skillful and inventive Kim Boler. The show is highly spirited and uplifting, filled with singing and dancing. But the feel-good performance, billed as a comedy, sugarcoats a serious and important story that needs to be told about the decline of working-class institutions like neighborhood bars—and what happens when blue-collar work disappears. This is a story not unique to the rustbelt but anywhere in America where good-paying jobs in industry and manufacturing have bit the dust."

The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended

"...You don’t have to travel 6+ hours. Factory Theatre has brought Cleveland to you! And LAST NIGHT IN KARAOKE TOWN is the perfect opportunity to experience the locals in their natural habitat. As a barfly at Karaoke Korner, you get to observe all the impressive singing, drunken buffoonery, diehard familial ties without having to pick up a mic. It’s a fun evening Cleveland-style!"

Chicago On Stage - Recommended

"...Last Night in Karaoke Town is not a profound play, nor is it full of unexpected twists. In general, the characters reach the end of the evening exactly as you’d expect them to despite occasional meltdowns along the way. But it isn’t supposed to be profound or surprising; it’s a celebration of friendship and comaraderie based on mutual interests and a recognition that change is inevitable. And with its fun characters and all of those songs—even the ones that are simply bad are lots of fun—it feels a lot like a party even though it is also a goodbye. (And it closes with the perfect final tune.) This play won’t change your life, but it will entertain you, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need."

Picture This Post - Recommended

"...Playwrights Pynchon and Beyer have given us lovable characters, and a snapshot of a world vanishing into the whoosh of rapid globalization. For a chock full of laugh good time, LAST NIGHT IN KAROAKE TOWN is a top pick. If you are seeking a theater experience that will rattle your cage, this isn’t your show."