[title of show] at Northlight Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"... The production, which is accompanied by Doug Peck at the piano, is quite witty, very nicely sung and, especially when Crowle lets lose, injected with intermittent spark. But this piece was, in its way, very fresh and experimental when it first came out (you might think of it as the edgier dad of "Smash") and before this particular bandwagon was jumped upon so often by so many. In this production, too much of that edge feels flattened into the conventional. The piece has a decent little score and plenty of laughs that still work well. It just needs something new and risky to jump-start itself again, something that just wasn't there this weekend, where the general trajectory was too comfortable."

Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...The story here (with all the expected little nods to Sondheim) begins with Hunter and Jeff deciding to write a new musical to submit to a major festival, and they’ve got just three weeks in which to get it done. The script and songs are more or less verbatim renderings of the process that unspools in their grungy Hell’s Kitchen office as they battle their self-critical personal demons (in a song titled “Die Vampire, Die!), try to avoid the usual musical cliches, interact personally (Heidi and Susan sing the amusing “What Kind of Girl Is She?”), endure the workshop process, fill out the festival entry form, argue about the show’s commercial future, and more."

Daily Herald - Recommended

"...Accuse “[title of show]” of being an esoteric, navel-gazing meta musical targeting die-hard theater geeks all that you want. The show's original creators/performers and the local re-creators for the Chicago-area premiere at Northlight Theatre are fully aware that this modern-day Broadway musical about the creative process of writing a highly idiosyncratic Broadway musical is a fun exercise in self-reflexivity and messing around with common theatrical conventions."

Pioneer Press - Highly Recommended

"...It matters not if you don’t know “Hairspray” from “Hedwig.” “[title of show]” is a delight from start to finish as it captures the agony and the ecstasy of creating art that will sell without selling out."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...The show’s first half is a tight, jokey delineation of the creative process, with Bowen’s numbers providing a grown-up Schoolhouse Rock feel. The second half, which Bell and Bowen continued to expand as their play went from showcase to Off Broadway to the Great White Way, spins out a little repetitively, though it gets points for honest depictions of some ugly moments. Northlight’s cast, accompanied by Doug Peck on piano, winningly sells the material with expert timing. Crowle, in particular, imbues Hunter with an engagingly squirrelly energy."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...[title of show] is truly unlike anything else I have seen. It celebrates art and all of the trials and tribulations involved in the creative process with a constant, acute sense of self that is extremely refreshing. While it may not be for some, those who are taken along for the ride (and you know who you are) will be rewarded with a remarkably fun but profound experience."

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended

"...I recommend [title of show]. It’s a hoot! I wish I had thought of it first. Bell and Bowen make a Tony nomination seem easily achieved."

Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"... The two writers are played by Stephen Schellhardt ( Jeff) and Matthew Crowle( Hunter). They both have solid voices and work hard to make this story have meaning to the audience. The women they bring into the show are the delightful Christine Sherrill ( Heidi) who has a powerful voice and McKinley Carter ( one of my favorites, whether it be The Marriott,Goodman Theatre or Shakespeare) as Susan. These ladies, base don the script really never had a chance, but they are fun to watch onstage and both are terrific singers."