Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...The House "Nutcracker" is one of the very rare Christmas shows for adults and kids that does not pretend the world is anything other than the flawed — and, for some, dangerous — place we actually inhabit. And yet it charts a course by which one little clutch of well-meaning, feeling people can move forward, as a family, to a happy holidays. And that family I was watching were all laughing and crying together by the end."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...The logic behind some parts of the plot is fuzzy—Fritz, for instance, explains his reincarnation by pointing out that there are lots of strange things in the world, like shrimp-flavored chips—but overall this is a smart, exuberant show."
Chicago Theatre Addict - Recommended
"...House’s production has received rave reviews and a strong following since its debut in 2007. This remount, directed and choreographed by Tommy Rapley, was my first exposure, and I’m not entirely sure it lived up to the hype for me. While I greatly admired the effort, the thing feels excessively frantic and everyone YELLS THEIR LINES, so it’s a bit headache inducing. Also, the use of live music (accompanied by a small but full-sounding band) is a lovely idea, but the meandering tunes and pedestrian lyrics (both by Kevin O’Donnell) don’t match the creative level set by the rest of the production."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Really, this is a bit of a perfect Christmas show. It’s fun, sweet, poignant, funny, whimsical, but more than anything it’s a great experience. Seriously, try to get in before the hipsters buy all the seats."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...Chicago’s new holiday tradition is NUTCRACKER at The House Theatre of Chicago. The modern spin on the Christmas classic is an imaginative and energetic spectacle. When I saw it for the first time last year, I was enchanted by the innovation. I repeated the experience this past Sunday night. Although I enjoyed the new cast in Tommy Rapley’s spirited choreographed dance and chase scenes, I became overly-aware of the darker side of this production."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"... Putting a new spin on a beloved story is never easy and always risky. When the story revolves around the holidays, challenges increase tenfold. But when a powerful script is flawlessly executed by a stellar production team and a gifted cast, that’s when real magic happens. The House Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker is daring, imaginative and makes a true artistic statement from beginning to end. This is what Chicago theatre should always be."
