Another smallish theater, a very quaint building, not an area of Chicago I've been before but I'll definitely be back there some day. This play is performed on an arena style stage (though not elevated, so actually playing on the floor) with audience on 2 opposite sides of the stage, similar to 'Blood and Gifts' I saw earlier at Timeline Theater (see earlier post) the cast is using the stage and the sides where there is no audience as an extension of the stage. Very good use of the space I thought and giving excellent view to all that is happening to everybody in the audience.
As the 'stage' is at floor level, those on the front rows needed to tuck in their toes at times because the actors use every square inch of their space. It all adds to the charm of a space and set-up like this.
Not having read anything about this play but going blindly on friends recommendations I did not know what to expect... Harry Houdini, yes I'd heard of him, so I was expecting some sort of magic show but this was so much more!
Dennis Watkins, playing Harry Houdini, knows his magic, he does a fair amount of tricks that even sitting front row and knowing he's tricking you I still found it impossible to figure it out... they do things like cardtricks, walking on glass, the person-switch-in-the-box, the man-sawn-in-half and the famous Houdini escape tricks that are amazing!
Apart from the magic, which would have been perfectly entertaining on itself, there was a story to be told, Houdini's obsession with cheating death, how did he get there? why was he like that? who were the important people in his life and what were some highlighting events in his life... it was all there, neatly wrapped up in a two hour performance that was intense, funny, visually stunning and mind-boggling magical .
Set, Sound and Costume design deserve special mention here, 'Death' had a big part in this play and both costume, sound effects and set contributed to Death having an amazing presence on stage without scaring the kids in the audience but still undoubtedly Death.
Truly one of the Highlights of this trip... it's run is over now, but this was already a remount of this show so maybe you will get lucky and see it some day in the future, if you have a chance GO SEE IT, you will not be disappointed.
I saw this play on a friday, and discovered at the theater that every friday night, after the play, Dennis Watkins (playing Houdini) rushes off to another venue in town to do a late night Magic Show. Very impressive, as Houdini is a very physical play, especially for the lead character... hat off to you mr Watkins.
The Prologue
Cast & Crew Information:
Abu Ansari: Mayer Weiss, Ensemble
Johnny Arena: The Ringmaster
Carolyn Defrin: Bess
Marika Mashburn: Cecilia Weiss
Shawn Pfautsch: Theo, Dr Lynn
Tommy Rapley: Death, Hilmar, Ensemble
Trista Smith: Hilmar's Assistant, Ensemble
Dennis Watkins, Harry Houdini
Director/Playwright: Nathan Allen
Scenic Designer: Collette Pollard
Costume Designer: Lee Keenan
Lighting Designer: Ben Wilhelm
Composer/Co-Sound Designer: Kevin O'Donnell
Co-Sound Designer: Harrison Adams
Stage Manager: Brian Desgranges
Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Hoeferlin
Wardrobe Supervisor: Bridgid Danahy
Master Electrician: Will Dean
Properties Master: Rachel Finn
Costume Manager: Amy Hilber
Assistant Lighting Designer: William C. Kirkham
Assistant Sound Designer: Jeff Kelley
Sound Engineer: Jenna Moran
Flight Choreographer: Justin Verstraete
Assistant Scenic Designer: Sally Weiss
Trailer
June 21st, 2013 to August 18th, 2013
Marvel with us as Houdini battles Death once more
Written and Directed by Nathan Allen
Magic by Dennis Watkins
Run time: 2 hours, 15 minutes with an intermission.
NOW EXTENDED! Our complete cast adds 7 more performances!
LOCATION: The Chopin Theatre
1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL
See details and directions
PRICE: $40 for Regular Run (through Aug 11), $49 for Extension (Aug 13-18)
TIMES: Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30; Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00pm and 8:00pmPlease see the calendar for a complete list of times.
Buy a Membership and save!
AGE LEVEL: Designed for adults, Death and Harry Houdini is suitable for kids that enjoy being a little scared by a story, and can sit comfortably through two 55 minute acts. We call it rated PG-13 for a couple of curse words and a very scary Death figure. Check out this awesome review by a (then) 7 year old. Or READ OURPARENT’S GUIDE.
A ringmaster leads us through the events of Harry’s life, all told through stunning magic, poignant dialogue and original music. We travel from the untimely passing of his father, through his first tent shows with his younger brother Theo, meeting his wife Bess, and beginning a journey towards fame on the vaudeville circuit. All the while, Harry feels Death close on his heels and he won’t rest until he’s conquered him once and for all. Harry will walk on broken glass, swallow razor blades and risk his life in the Water Torture Cell, but will he pull off an escape from Death?
There will be NO LATE SEATING FOR ANYPERFORMANCE.
If you are not present at the starting time of your performance you will either be sat at intermission or have to reschedule your performance for a later date (pending ticket availability) with the Box Office attendant – no exceptions. So please attempt to arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain to ensure you have enough time to get your seats.
REVIEWS and AWARDS
Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards:
Winner for Artistic Specialization – Magic Design to Member Dennis Watkins
Nominations: Best Production – Play Midsize, Best Direction, Best Lighting Design – Midsize, Best Costume Design – Midsize, Best Sound Design – Midsize, Original Incidental Music
Review blurbs
from the official website:
June 21st, 2013 to August 18th, 2013
Marvel with us as Houdini battles Death once more
Written and Directed by Nathan Allen
Magic by Dennis Watkins
Run time: 2 hours, 15 minutes with an intermission.
NOW EXTENDED! Our complete cast adds 7 more performances!
LOCATION: The Chopin Theatre
1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL
See details and directions
PRICE: $40 for Regular Run (through Aug 11), $49 for Extension (Aug 13-18)
TIMES: Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30; Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00pm and 8:00pmPlease see the calendar for a complete list of times.
Buy a Membership and save!
AGE LEVEL: Designed for adults, Death and Harry Houdini is suitable for kids that enjoy being a little scared by a story, and can sit comfortably through two 55 minute acts. We call it rated PG-13 for a couple of curse words and a very scary Death figure. Check out this awesome review by a (then) 7 year old. Or READ OURPARENT’S GUIDE.
A ringmaster leads us through the events of Harry’s life, all told through stunning magic, poignant dialogue and original music. We travel from the untimely passing of his father, through his first tent shows with his younger brother Theo, meeting his wife Bess, and beginning a journey towards fame on the vaudeville circuit. All the while, Harry feels Death close on his heels and he won’t rest until he’s conquered him once and for all. Harry will walk on broken glass, swallow razor blades and risk his life in the Water Torture Cell, but will he pull off an escape from Death?
There will be NO LATE SEATING FOR ANYPERFORMANCE.
If you are not present at the starting time of your performance you will either be sat at intermission or have to reschedule your performance for a later date (pending ticket availability) with the Box Office attendant – no exceptions. So please attempt to arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain to ensure you have enough time to get your seats.
REVIEWS and AWARDS
Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards:
Winner for Artistic Specialization – Magic Design to Member Dennis Watkins
Nominations: Best Production – Play Midsize, Best Direction, Best Lighting Design – Midsize, Best Costume Design – Midsize, Best Sound Design – Midsize, Original Incidental Music
Review blurbs
4 out of 4 Stars!“A highly polished and visually thrilling show … strikingly well-designed and well-executed … MAGIC OF THE VERYHIGHEST ORDER!” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“…high energy and lack of artifice in a loose, buzzy blend of traditional storytelling, music and spectacle… ATHRILLING RIDE” – Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago
“‘Death and Harry Houdini’ soars on Dennis Watkins’ brilliance as a genuine magician and fearless stuntman…INGENIOUSLY WRITTEN AND DIRECTED by Nathan Allen.” – Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
“The folks at the House Theatre of Chicago are celebrating their tenth anniversary by remounting their first show—and IT MAKES FOR A HELLUVA PARTY…Dennis Watkins is simply magnificent as Houdini.” – Kerry Ried, Chicago Reader
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