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The Nutcracker
Written by Jake Minton & Phillip C. Klapperich
Directed by Tommy Rapley
Original music by Kevin O’Donnell
Produced by The House Theatre Chicago
At Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre
1650 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL
Call 312-335-1650, tickets $29
Wednesdays thru Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 3 & 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through December 29, 2007
Post modern version of The Nutcracker is dark yet engaging
The House Theatre Chicago, as part of Steppenwolf Theatre’s Visiting Company Initiative, presents a cleverly dark new twist on the holiday favorite The Nutcracker. There is plenty of original pop music and wonderful underscoring music from Kevin O’Donnell and his eight piece orchestra. The show is a new adaptation that does contain movement but it is not a ballet, rather a dark story where dolls and puppets come to life to slay the rat king.
Using the House’s previous storytelling techniques—puppets, unique movements and dance with magic to tell morality tales where the good person battles the evil ones here through the imagination of a little girl, Clara (Laura Grey), struggling to make sense of the death of her older brother in a far-off war. I was engaged and thrilled with this tender story filled with mystery and wonder.
This Nutcracker is fine family fare for children ten and over. The clever puppets that come alive, lead by The Nutcracker (Michael E. Smith), helps Clara deal with the rats who seem to come out of the cracks in the walls and threaten the little girl. Hugo (Seth Bockley), Masha (Vanessa Stalling), Jo (Ericka Ratcliff), Monkey (Joshua Holden) and Phoebe (Maria McCullogh) are the puppet army assembled to fight Joey Steahley’s Rat King. Great Uncle Drosselmeyer (Jake Minton—in full command and fine voice) communicates Clara’s fantasy with his imaginative puppets despite protests from Clara’s parents, Martha (Fanny Hungerford) and David (Geoff Rice).
There is humor, movement, a varied and peppy score with several nice songs and action galore in this tightly, fast-paced tale. The story goes right to the heart of the matter as it plays directly from Clara mind to our souls. Laura Grey leads a fine cast and Jake Minton adds a couple of fine songs to the mix. For a clever and unique holiday treat, see this worthy offering. The House Theatre of Chicago continues to mount fine original works.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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