Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...House's most substantial work since "The Sparrow," "The Nutcracker" is a laudably different kind of Christmas show — one that acknowledges adults misunderstand children, one that admits the jollity that fills most stages at this time of year doesn't reflect the tougher truth of the holidays in many homes. But while one wants to warn away young children (the overly long show is too dark and scary for anyone under about ten years old), this piece isn't so far from tradition."
Chicago Sun Times
- Recommended
"...The production, now in its world premiere at Steppenwolf Upstairs, takes a great imaginative leap out of the original source, while at the same time remaining true to it."
Pioneer Press
- Not Recommended
"...What would the Christmas season be without "The Nutcracker?" Frankly, it would be better without the version co-written by Jake Minton and Phillip Klapperich, currently presented by the House Theater at Steppenwolf Upstairs."
Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...House Theatre of Chicago's ambitious, well-designed, musically charming adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale takes off in too many directions. Writers Phillip C. Klapperich and Jake Minton add family tragedy to the story of a girl who gets a nutcracker for Christmas and battles the Rat King. Out of that dark mix they aim to create a play that's "uplifting, funny and family-friendly," as a press release says, a feat House pulled off in The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz. But here abrupt shifts in tone (flippant jokes follow terrible trauma), nonsensical pop psychologizing, and repetitive, not-so-funny physical clowning create an awkward amalgam of silly children's show and ham-handed emotional allegory."
Windy City Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Though much of the usual House flair is there, I didn’t feel the House cracked its Nutcracker to be as emotional as previous productions. Perhaps with a more adaptable space and a lesser air of “importance” will help if the Nutcracker gets another go round."
Chicago Free Press
- Highly Recommended
"...It’s tempting to dismiss this playful parable as “Toy Story” meets “Gift of the Magi” meets “PeeWee’s Playhouse.” But, beyond paying tribute to the original with dances (like the guests’ opening quadrille and an impulsive snowflake ballet), this “Nutcracker” breaks new ground: It addresses our fear of fear as much as Clara’s need to accept the finality of her brother’s death. The Rat behind the walls has been very busy over the last six years, gnawing at our illusions of safety and encouraging our worst drives to control what we can’t. The choice, as Clara discovers, is not between suicide and insanity. Survival, which invents its own heroism, brings strengths to combat all the weakness of its alternatives. This “Nutcracker” may not be perfect for kids but it sure suits adult Americans."
Time Out Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...This Nutcracker has a lot worth recommending, not limited to Laura Grey’s spirited Clara and other faces new to the House’s season proper (Geoff Rice and Fannie Hungerford manage sympathy in the unsympathetic, fretfully disbelieving parent roles); Allison Daniel’s puppet and toy designs, particularly those voiced by Minton and Joey Steakley, are mightily impressive. The trouble is that, even through Rapley’s often dazzling staging, the House’s seams are starting to show. Like the eponymous wooden contraption, this Nutcracker occasionally seems hammered together from brightly painted scraps."
ChicagoCritic
- Recommended
"...There is humor, movement, a varied and peppy score with several nice songs and action galore in this tightly, fast-paced tale. The story goes right to the heart of the matter as it plays directly from Clara mind to our souls. Laura Grey leads a fine cast and Jake Minton adds a couple of fine songs to the mix."
