Theatre with a side of life
The House Theatre of Chicago presents the World Premiere of Verböten. I’m always curious to the inspiration behind a play. What’s the story behind the story? Well, after watching HBO’s “Sonic Highway” Chicago Playwright Brett Neveu was motivated to tell this story of Verböten. Foo Fighter’s David Grohl spotlighted the band in the HBO documentary. His ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents its yuletide tradition, NUTCRACKER. I love this show! In fact, it is my seventh time (2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 ) experiencing this innovative take on E.T.A. Hoffman's famous tale of a young girl's relationship with a nutcracker. The creative team of Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, Kevin O'Donnell and Tommy Rapley took Hoffman's ...
House Theatre of Chicago presents the World Premiere of PINOCCHIO. ‘Pinochle.’ ‘Pistachio.’ ‘Pinocchio!’ The name, ‘Pinocchio’, gets amusingly butchered throughout this reimagined children’s classic. The mispronunciation of the name is an ongoing joke in the witty script. Adapters Joseph Steakley and Ben Lobpries have updated the well-known puppet story. Although they provide fun with plenty of spirited ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents NUTCRACKER. This is my sixth time (2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010) seeing House’s imaginative interpretation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s story about a nutcracker. The creative team of Jake Minton(playwright/lyricist) , Phillip Klapperich(playwright), Kevin O’Donnell (composer) and Tommy Rapley (director/choreographer)spun the classic into a playful, magical and wonderfully heartfelt Chicago holiday tradition. The story is about ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents the world premiere of BOREALIS. I don’t typically read a press release before a play. I prefer to review a show from the perspective of any theatre goer. This practice can be challenging especially when critiquing a world premiere like BOREALIS. I’ve included an excerpt from the press release at ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents an all-new production of Hatfield & McCoy. The Hatfields and McCoys was the infamous family feud from the 1800s. These families hated each other. Their bitter battle was fueled by moonshine and revenge. The House again brings the epic families' drama to the stage. When Rose Anna McCoy (played by Haley ...
The House Theatre of Chicago announces the final production in their 15th season, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz. To be clear, this isn't Judy Garland's "Wizard of Oz." Although House Theatre recommends this production for ages 10 and up, I'm not as certain. I don't want to spoil the dramatic roll-out so I'll just simply say witches are ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents THE NUTCRACKER. It's official THE NUTCRACKER is now one of my favorite holiday traditions. Friday was my fifth opportunity to see this innovative spin on the E.T.A. Hoffman classic. (My reviews in 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and Tom's 2015 review ). After what-can-only-be-described as a horrific time for our nation, this show ...
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: The House Theater, no stranger to darkening up storybook classics (i.e., The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz), now deconstructs a tale that’s already pretty grim – the violent and outrageous “Punch and Judy” puppet shows that reached their peak in the 1700s ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents DEATH AND HARRY HOUDINI. My addiction to The House’s magic started in 2001 at the premiere of DEATH AND HARRY HOUDINI and it’s continued for fifteen years… Death and Harry Houdini in 2012 The Magic Parlour in 2012 The Magnificents in 2013 The Magic Parlour in 2016 Playwright and Director Nathan Allen tells the story ...