The House Theatre of Chicago presents THE MAGIC PARLOUR. My love affair with Dennis Watkins started several years ago. Even before I begin reviewing theatre, I saw the 2001 “Death and Harry Houdini” starring Watkins. Later, I reviewed “Death and Harry Houdini” in 2012 and saw him again in “The Magnificents” in 2013. I’ve ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The House Theatre of Chicago
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My Top Ten Unforgettable 2015 Plays
It is my great fortune to live in a town that is bursting with so much theatrical talent. About seven years ago, I stumbled into reviewing the Chicago theatre scene. Every show enhances my understanding of theatre and life. I enjoy most every production for some aspect. The stinkers have been a single digit percentage ...
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The Nutcracker (The House Theatre of Chicago): Holiday Cheer! Heartbreak! Rats!
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: The House Theater, a reliable option for modern, fourth-wall breaking theater, brings us their annual holiday spin on The Nutcracker. Originally created in 2007 for a premiere at Steppenwolf Theater, this year’s production is directed and choreographed by one if its original creators, Tommy Rapley. What’s it all about: Although ...
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Review “The Revel” (The House Theatre of Chicago): I wasn’t a believer
The House Theatre of Chicago presents THE REVEL. I didn’t like this play. THE REVEL starts out folksy. The guitar strumming Andy Lutz (Deacon) addresses the audience directly. He apologizes for his vocal stylings and playfully gets us to join in his singing. Lutz is amicable enough. I’d join him for a drink at a bar. I ...
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Review “The Hammer Trinity” (House Theatre): HAMMER Nails It!
The House Theatre of Chicago presents THE HAMMER TRINITY Plays; Part 1 “The Iron Stag King,” Part 2 “The Crownless King,” and Part 3 “The Excelsior King.” It’s finished. The third installment, “The Excelsior King” completes The House Theatre’s epic adventure. And even though I had already seen the first two, My review “The Iron Stag ...
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Review “Nutcracker” (The House): Consistent Holiday Treat
The House Theatre of Chicago presents NUTCRACKER. This was my fourth time seeing The House’s holiday show in the last five years. And despite my repeated viewing, I still wept. The play has both joy and agony. The audience moves from one end of the spectrum to the other... in the first ten minutes. The emotional ...
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Review “Season on the Line” (The House Theatre): Art imitating Art
The House Theatre of Chicago presents the World Premiere of SEASON ON THE LINE. Playwright Shawn Pfautsch tells the tale of one man’s obsession with a whale. No, it’s not Captain Ahab but it is “Moby Dick.” The man possessed is the artistic director of Bad Settlement Theatre Company. Pfautsch dissects the inner-workings of a ...
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Review “Dorian” (The House Theatre): 2/3 Marveling Spectacle
The House Theatre of Chicago presents DORIAN. This is 2/3 of a review. The House has produced its current production in promenade. There are limited seats available at the base of the thrust-style stage. The rest of the audience stands, leans and moves throughout the show. The ambitious idea lends itself to a nightclub venue. That’s ...
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Review “Rose and the Rime” (House Theatre): Frozen Enchantment
The House Theatre of Chicago presents ROSE AND THE RIME. A story is about a village cursed with a never-ending winter. This play seems perfectly relatable for Chicago audiences, especially this year. Originally developed at Hope College in 2008 ROSE AND THE RIME won the honor of playing the Kennedy Center as Best Original Work in the KCACTF festival. ...