Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...By the end of an all-too-brief evening—this thing needs another 20 minutes of material, at least, and B.J. Jones' smart but occasionally tentative production needs to lose the physically casual air of a slightly amplified stage reading—the destination was unconvincing in its eleventh-hour romanticism. But you had the sense all night that huge comedic boulders were moving around within your purview. With work, this could really be something."
Chicago Sun Times
- Recommended
"...it's good to see some veteran players engaged in the pleasure of playing their favorite game. Mahoney, gaunt and thin as a rail (a sort of aging Fred Astaire) nails each punchline. Kimbrough plays the energetic manipulator with ease. And Key is back in fine form as a son and husband in crisis. But it's Nussbaum -- wrapped in a full beard, corduroy pants and a thick cardigan -- who easily steals the show, whether using his walker as a shield or giving himself up to complete vulnerability in this tale of weddings past and funerals to come."
Daily Herald
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The play touches on some compelling issues related to aging: apologizing, purging guilt and righting wrongs. But the slight "Better Late" (the tacit "than never," which concludes the axiomatic title, is understood), never evolves into a substantive drama."
SouthtownStar
- Highly Recommended
"...Overflowing with hilarious one-liners, satiric barbs on sex and marriage and golden-year gags, "Better Late" - in its world premiere at Northlight Theatre in Skokie - is a comedy riot."
Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The real stars aren't Mahoney, Nussbaum or Kimbrough, anyway--they're the playwrights, Larry Gelbart and Craig Wright, who've made the first half of Better Late a marvel of high level jokesmithing, and the second a festival of designedly hokey speeches. There's an interesting nastiness underlying the lines, but B.J. Jones's Northlight production steers well clear of it. Mahoney doesn't, though; he's great."
Windy City Times
- Recommended
"...Under the capable guidance of likewise seasoned director BJ Jones, Better Late exceeds our expectations, emerging an intelligent contemplation of choices and consequences to engage audiences of all ages."
Gay Chicago Magazine
- Highly Recommended
"...Still, the wonderful dialogue from these clever writers delivered with the genuine talent and chemistry of this incomparable cast elevate “Better Late” to a must-see level. If you live in Hawaii you’re a fool not to enjoy the weather and the ocean. If you live in Chicago you’re a fool not to take advantage of amazing theatrical opportunities like this."
EpochTimes
- Highly Recommended
"...When one hears that veteran actors such as John Mahoney and Mike Nussbaum will appear in a new play written by Larry Gelbart ( MASH) and Craig Wright ( Dirty Sexy Money/Six Feet Under), directed by BJ Jones, one knows that they are in for a treat. And a treat it is! Northlights' production of "Better Late", a love story of a different type that is 90 minutes of fun with a storyline that will touch your heartstrings."
Time Out Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...save some stinging, unanswerable one-liners, the final product features none of the signature qualities of these two flavorful writers. Barely approaching a sitcom’s level of insight and completeness, Better Late sags, even at 90 minutes, under the weight of bland monologues about September romance and hindsight regrets."
ChicagoCritic
- Recommended
"...The trio of John Mahoney, Mike Nussbaum and Linda Kimbrough offer magic with their smooth, savvy comic timing. Steve Key offers fine supporting work. Better Late is a funny show that sparks tender moments. With additional material, it could become an even better play. The cast’s outstanding work carries the evening. You’ll enjoy this show."
