The House Theatre

The House Theatre of Chicago opens its 5th season with The Magnificents, an original show by Company Member and magician Dennis Watkins. The world premiere production, directed by Molly Brennan, runs September 13 – November 3, 2007, at The Viaduct Theatre, 3111 N. Western Avenue.

The Magnificents is a magical clown show written by and starring Dennis Watkins, an award-winning magician who learned the art from his grandfather, the one and only Ed Watkins. This emotionally charged story is a tribute to the late Ed Watkins and tells the provocative story about an ancient magician, his wife and their quest to build a family.

Molly Brennan makes her directorial debut for The House with The Magnificents, bringing her expertise in clowning and her unique theatrical voice to The House’s 5th season of original productions. The heart-wrenching production features a magician, a cast of clowns, and an original score by Kevin O’Donnell.

“There is so much of Ed in this play. Everything I remember about loving him is here- the ballroom dancing he and my grandmother loved so much, the magic, the lectures about card tricks and his beloved performance of Sam the Bellhop. The dancing hanky and the vanishing birdcage, as well as the orange, lemon, egg canary classics that he always loved to watch. Despite knowing how they worked, he always thought they were magical,” says Watkins. “This play is certainly about a non-traditional family that grows and changes throughout the course of the play and is an honest response to the family I grew up with, as well as the other family [The House] in my life.”

The 2007/2008 House season includes the world premieres of The Magnificents, followed by The Nutcracker (November 17- December 29) and The Attempters (March 14 – May 3).