The Nutcracker House Theatre of Chicago


House Theatre brings back this wholly original, ballet-free show back year after year because it truly has something for everyone. The show is fast-paced, beautifully choreographed, family-friendly, and moving for even those of us that might be on the grinch’s side from time to time

Nov 5th - Dec 31st - Imaginative and inventive! It's more than earned a place in the roster of EXCEPTIONAL Chicago holiday shows. I was teary-eyed in less than five minutes - Chicago Reader

A RIVETING REINVENTION! - Chicago Sun-Times

IT WILL BRING YOUR FAMILY CLOSER TOGETHER!  - Chicago Tribune


The Nutcracker Parent's Guide

More info/Box office - 773.769.3832



11/5/15 - 12/31/15

Thur-Fri 730p; Sat 3p/730p; Sun 3p/7p



Highly Recommended - Chicago Reader December 2015 - "The House Theatre's gorgeous, arresting annual holiday show bears only a faint resemblance to Tchaikovsky's ballet. Instead of bratty kids and sugarplum fairies, Jake Minton and Phillip Klapperich's tightly spun book introduces a family wracked by tragic loss. But magic still abounds, and in quantities that will bring a tear to the eye of even the stingiest Grinch. Though it isn't dance in the traditional sense, director Tommy Rapley's dazzling choreography infuses every scene. The show's one weakness might be the musical numbers, which are mercifully brief and few. But in plotting, performance, and visual design, it's a nearly flawless, truly essential all-ages holiday show. In a world of treacle and dross, that such a thing exists is a Christmas miracle of its own" —Keith Griffith

 

From House Theatre - We bring this wholly original, ballet-free show back year after year because it truly has something for everyone. The show is fast-paced, beautifully choreographed, family-friendly, and moving for even those of us that might be on the grinch’s side from time to time.

 
The House’s fantastical expansion of this holiday classic centers on young Clara’s journey to save Christmas in the face of grief. With the help of a magical nutcracker, this brave girl will risk the darkness, fight the Rat King, and save her family! This modern holiday production weaves together riveting dialogue, astonishing puppetry, original song, and spellbinding spectacle to tell a heartwarming, darkly moving story of magic and hope -- a fun outing fit for the whole family.

We bring this wholly original, ballet-free show back year after year because it truly has something for everyone. The show is fast-paced, beautifully choreographed, family-friendly, and moving for even those of us that might be on the grinch’s side from time to time. The House’s fantastical expansion of this holiday classic centers on young Clara’s journey to save Christmas in the face of grief. With the help of a magical nutcracker, this brave girl will risk the darkness, fight the Rat King, and save her family! This modern holiday production weaves together riveting dialogue, astonishing puppetry, original song, and spellbinding spectacle to tell a heartwarming, darkly moving story of magic and hope -- a fun outing fit for the whole family.

Author
Created by Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, Kevin O’Donnell, and Tommy Rapley. Based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann

Director
Directed and Choreographed by Tommy Rapley

Performers
James Houton, Jaclyn Hennell; Christ Mathews, Abut Ansari, Marika Mashburn, Andrew Lund, Rachel Shapiro,

Production
Scenic Designer - Collette Pollard; Lighting Design - Lee Keenan; Master Electrician - Ivy Reid; Composer - Kevin O'Donnell; Sound Design - Michael Griggs & Joshua Horvath; Choreography - Tommy Rapley; Costume Design - Debbie Baer;

Tags: Theater, American, 2015