The Nutcracker presented by The House Theatre of Chicago at Chopin Theatre

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...If you were to tell the average person on the street that your favorite stage version of “The Nutcracker” featured neither ballet nor the iconic Tchaikovsky score, they’d think you were an insufferable hipster at best — and perhaps totally deranged at worst. But such a person would clearly have missed the heartfelt wonder that is The House Theatre of Chicago’s 10th anniversary production of “The Nutcracker,” based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s dark and magical tale. So tell them: Go see it. You’ll thank me later."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...A suitably creepy rat-king puppet from Chicago Puppet Studio, delicious comic turns from Colin Morgan, Johnny Arena, and Rachel Shapiro as Clara's trio of toy friends, and the earnest tunes combine for a sad-sweet, hopeful-heartfelt peek into how to keep the holidays alive—even (or especially) when the people who shared them with you are gone from this corporeal realm. That's a story worth sharing for all families."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...The House Theatre’s welcome, newly-updated return of their modern adaptation of an old favorite fairytale is joyful, handsomely produced and truly heartfelt. It still sometimes gets bogged down in a lot of loud, cartoonish silliness and slapstick. However, when the antics settle down and theatergoers are able to understand Jack Minton’s clever dialogue, the production soars. It becomes an honest, refreshingly contemporary interpretation of the old Christmas classic. Clara and her friends have the ability and to move every audience member with the true importance of love and family and Christmas."

The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended

"...If you haven’t seen it or even if you have seen it, I highly recommend experiencing House’s NUTCRACKER for the first time or the seventh time. It truly illustrates the dark and light of the holiday season. NUTCRACKER reminds us to look around and give each other comfort and joy. "

Picture This Post - Highly Recommended

"...Brilliant acting and creative storytelling make The Nutcracker the perfect way for families to celebrate this holiday season."