"I'm a big fan of Bill's Family Funtime. It's one of the few times I've listened to a comedy album and literally laughed out loud all the way through. Very, very funny stuff." - "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Bitingly satirical...." Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times
"It's a riotous romp in song through the cobwebs of Larkin’s family history. Don’t miss this one." -- The Orlando Sentinel
"Larkin’s seeming sincerity with each number soon flies into witty barbs that will have you rolling in the aisles." -- The Orlando Weekly
"The title certainly does not lie, for this certainly was one four-star fun time that had the opening night audience in stitches from the first moment to the last." - Todd Shuman, Cabaret Online
THEATRE
A CLASS ACT Joseph Jefferson Awards - 2013 for A Class Act: Best Production - Musical (Midsize) Actor in a Principal Role - Musical - Bill Larkin
“A remarkable performance from Bill Larkin, who throws himself into the role of Kleban with the kind of weirdly compulsive relish Kleban surely would have understood. This is Larkin’s show. As this deeply empathetic performance unfolds, you feel both his desire for success and the crippling insecurity that made him undermine anything that was finally going well.”
- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“Larkin, the actor who plays Kleban, makes the whole thing explode with life. Larkin seizes hold of the composer-lyricist’s soul in the most uncanny way, capturing the genius, the mental illness, the self-destructiveness, the perfectionism, the insecurity, the sweetness, the nerdiness and the sadness of this man who was often his own worst enemy, but who had that engine of creativity and that irrepressible ego that can keep an artist at work. Larkin gives an unforgettable performance.”
- Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
“Bill Larkin is pitch-perfect as the charming yet infuriating Kleban, and the seven-member supporting cast are equally splendid.”
- Albert Williams, Chicago Reader
“Bill Larkin gives the performance of his lifetime as Mr. Kleban. His comic timing is genius (as usual), but for the first time in many years, Larkin is allowed to stretch his dramatic skills and the outcome is pure gold.”
- Michael Roberts, Showbiz Chicago
“As the confused man still in limbo, Bill Larkin is indefatigable, unconventional, and almost eerie in bringing Kleban’s compulsiveness to life—the same qualities that made Kleban so engaging and endearing to his friends.”
- Ruth Smerling, Stage and Cinema
“As Kleban, Bill Larkin captures the artist’s inner turmoil as he attempts to reconcile his passion with his perfectionism.”
- Bob Bullen, Huffington Post
“Led by the stunningly emotional and totally honest tour de force performance by Bill Larkin as the nerdy, mentally challenged composer, Edward Kleban, director Stacey Flaster has cast a fast-paced flowing musical with terrific talents anchored by the fabulous work from Larkin….what makes the show work on a deeply felt emotional range is the winning performance from Larkin. He plays Kleban with total commitment, compelling emotions and a winning self deprecation in one of the most empathetic performances seen on a Chicago stage in years! Larkin sings, is quite comic, and acts his heart out and completely becomes Kleban.”
- Tom Williams, Chicago Critic
“Larkin is an energetic ball of fire who gives us all we can ask from a stage performer- he can sing, he can dance, he can play the piano, but of most importance, he brings this man to life as a lovable loser who despite all his craziness is a pure genius.”
- Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago
“Alone and accompanied, Larkin fills the stage with overwhelming excitement and angst. Larkin energetically channels the artist as lovable and infuriating. He attacks the role and *his friends* with arrogant highs and devastating lows.”
- Katy Walsh, Chicago Now
“Bill Larkin is astounding as Ed Kleban, bringing so much humor and sincerity to the artist’s manic quirkiness and passion for composing ‘One More Beautiful Song.’”
- Colin Douglas, Centerstage
“Cast the wrong guy as Kleban and then audiences can be easily turned off. And not only must this actor charismatically command the stage—he also must be able to masterfully play the piano like a composer. Luckily, director/choreographer Stacey Flaster had the foresight to cast Larkin as Kleban. Larkin can be simultaneously lovable and despicable when necessary, and you really do come to care for the guy despite actions that could easily get on your nerves.”