Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Those lyrics pop very nicely in Brenda Didier's classy and swishy little Porchlight Music Theatre production at Theater Wit. The singing here —from McKinley Carter, Adam Pelty, Aja Goes, Michael Reckling and Alex Weisman —varies in quality and complexity of expression, but it's all good enough for you to relax in its basic competence and start musing on various Sondheim lyrical profundities, such as how the line "vary my days" in "Being Alive" is a singularly brilliant argument for the pursuit of romantic partnership, however traumatic the search or complex the relationship."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Putting It Together, the searing Stephen Sondheim revue, is the first show shot out of the post-Labor Day cannon, and it is a total triumph. With its sophisticated, emotionally charged content, its display of superb all-around musicianship, its ideal cast, its exceptional conceptual clarity, and its elegant design, this production instantly sets the bar for the 2011-2012 theater season at a high level."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...The singers savor every syllable. And the band keeps jamming through intermission and even for a bit after the final curtain. Brenda Didier's small, tight ensemble is packed with standouts. There are particularly strong performances from Adam Pelty (reeking of Sondheimian world-weariness), McKinley Carter, and new comer Aja Goes, who's equally adept at playing clueless ingenues and fearful, neurotic ones."
Talkin Broadway - Recommended
"...Didier and Cook, who it seems must equally credited with the subtle but enormously effective reimagining of the piece, have created a hybrid of the original concept – the more dramatically focused original concept with the more concert-like performance of the Broadway version – that combines the best of both. It's a thoroughly professional production that's at least as good as anything in Porchlight's past and bodes well for its future."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Michael Weber stepped into his role as new artistic director of Porchlight by adding the phrase “American Musicals, Chicago Style” to the company’s name. Brenda Didier has directed and choreographed Porchlight's season opener, "Putting it Together," usually considered to be a New York-based musical, with a definite Windy City feel. This production’s success can be attributed equally to Didier’s wise, economical direction, to her very talented cast and to Austin Cook’s sparkling musical direction and accompanying combo."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...If the show is conceptually questionable, Porchlight’s production is at least stylishly put together. Adam Pelty and McKinley Carter are splendid as the older couple, particularly in the Act I climax featuring a pair of songs from Follies, the bitter duet “Country House” and the even more acrimonious “Could I Leave You?” Pelty plays both heart-hardened husband and half-hearted playboy with weary credibility, while Carter is simply heartbreaking. Aja Goes and Michael Reckling are perhaps a bit too young for the younger couple; Reckling seems as if he can’t possibly have earned the loneliness of Company’s “Marry Me a Little.” Alex Weisman amuses as the puckish, fey observer who gooses the action. Musical director Austin Cook makes Sondheim’s music sound terrific in jazzy new arrangements."
WBEZ - Recommended
"...Putting It Together is appropriate for Porchlight's first show under the artistic direction of Michael Weber. Director Brenda Didier and Music Director Austin Cook (also a charming performer at the piano) have organized the piece to showcase both the powerful voices and the powerfully understated musical acting style which are Porchlight's hallmarks. Weber himself has directed A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Assassins, more or less the alpha and omega of Sondheim works, so he knew whereof he was choosing."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This erudite, elegant and thoughtful revue demonstrates the power, wit and complexity of Sondheim’s lyrics. Anyone one seriously trying to write lyrics needs to see this show as it is a PhD in song writing. And, any singer who things they know how to sing difficult songs needs to hear Aja Goes swiftly articulate the impossible “Not Getting Married Today!” She nailed every word, every rhyme wonderfully. The stage chemistry was winning and the duets soared as the Sondheim song fest thrilled us with style and truthful performances. This revue is a major triumph! If you want to see a classy flawless musical revue, get to Theater Wit to be amazed by the craftsmanship and artistry of Chicago’s talents. Porchlight Musical Theatre continues to mount fine shows."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Porchlight marks its 17th season with the work of Stephen Sondheim, along with the debut of Porchlight’s new Artistic Director Michael Weber. If “Putting It Together” is a glimpse of what’s to come, I have a feeling Porchlight will have a very successful season. Fans new and old can experience the vibrant work of Stephen Sondheim, the score includes numbers from “Sunday in the Park With George”, “Merrily We Roll Along”, “Do I Hear a Waltz?”, “Into the Woods”, “A Little Night Music”, “Sweeny Todd”, “Assassins”, “Follies”, “Dick Tracy”, and my personal Sondheim favorite “Company”. The production sets the bar for musical revues, and Porchlight gives us another production Chicago desperately needs to experience."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...If someone were to ask me to describe Porchlight American Musicals’ current production, Stephen Sondheim’s “Putting It Together” in one word, I would have to say “SLICK”! This is by far one of the best productions this ensemble has brought to the stage in years. Under the solid direction/ choreography of Brenda Didier and the incredible music direction by Austin Cook, Sondheim’s classical lyrics ( and music) truly come alive. I think of Sondheim as more of a wordsmith than a composer as his lyrics and the way his words work are incredible and in this revue, that takes his powerful songs from their plays and brings them to the forefront of “relationships”, there is a warm and wonderful feeling on the stage at Theater Wit on Belmont Avenue. Artistic Director of Porchlight, Michael Weber has really “put it together” with his start for the 2011/2012 season!"
Chicago Like a Local - Highly Recommended
"...The score truly shines in this production, and you can thank Austin Cook’s first-rate music direction for that. This is party due to his carefully measured bossa-nova friendly arrangements, which pour from a sexy jazz trio (Cook on piano, Matthew Sitz on drums and Sam Flip on bass) yet never overpower the intimate space or performers. But it’s also thanks to Didier’s inspired choice to make the band a fully integrated part of the party. (And, I’m not gonna lie, Cook isn’t a bad fellow to look at. It’s clear why Carter, as the lady of the house, would keep him and his grand in the main living quarters.)"
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...The musical direction of Austin Cook sets the festive tone for the party. It’s a ‘like you play piano, bass and drums’ combo. Cook is distractingly adorable as the animated piano player, and the band doesn’t disappear into the background. The trio chitchat, do shots and rock this party! The hostess for the evening is the stylish McKinley Carter. Carter is magnificent as a diva playing a diva. Her rendition of ‘The Ladies that Lunch’ is dripping with elegant disdain. Her ‘There Is always a Woman’ duet with Aja Goes is the showstopper. It’s the musical version of a verbal cat fight. Delicious! Playing and being a newcomer to Chicago theatre, Goes makes a memorable first impression. Her pitch and comedic timing are perfect. The talented guys hold-their-own but the ladies are unforgettable. Weisman, in particular, amuses with his signature antics. A fresh-faced Weisman zings a punchline with one well-placed look or gesture. For the opening, Weisman was not always audible. I’m not sure if it was a faulty microphone or his soft-spoken singing."
