This Way Outta Santaland (and other Xmas miracles) at Theater Wit

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Fain establishes an easy, engaging rapport with the audience as he salutes the women who have inspired him—a family friend, a beloved schoolteacher, Barbra Streisand—as well as the friends and lovers who've encouraged him to, as he puts it, "choose to be brave." His reminiscences are punctuated by cabaret-style vocals from singer Meghan Murphy, who also functions as a sort of talk show-style sidekick."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...If you have seen “The Santaland Diaries” and loved ( or at least enjoyed him) it, you will find yourself wanting to hear every word of what he has to say about his life. Listening to Murphy sing her songs and play with Fain ( as old room-mates might) is a special feature that makes the show even more special and of course the talent of Nichols speaks for itself."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended

"...Wit artistic director Jeremy Wechsler led a workshop performance of this show last year and reprises his role as director here, and so successful is his direction that it feels undirected. Fain is so damn irrepressible, there’s no choice but to let him at it, but he’s also savvy enough to keep track of tempo when it’s called for. (The show runs just under 90 minutes, no intermission.)"

Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended

"...By its very nature, this is a show that will be slightly different each night, but it is certain to be wonderful every time it is performed. I’d pay to listen to Murphy sing to Nichols’ piano for ninety minutes, and here that’s just a bonus: Fain has found plenty of stories to tell and he shares them generously. Director Jeremy Wechsler has helped arrange a loose-feeling, free-flowing evening that ultimately ties together perfectly, Mike Durst’s lights and Jeffrey Levin’s sound are perfect, and the performers are so good that you don’t want it to end. This one may run for the next eight years, if Fain and Murphy want it to."