My House Away From Home

February 17, 2008

I remember every detail of the car ride to the theatre. I had been one of the last of the group to sign up for the carpool, so the only spot left was in our moderator’s car with two freshmen. I thought that no number of turtles would be able to capture the awkwardness of the car ride, but it was actually fun. I knew as soon as we parked (under a viaduct) that it would be unlike any other theatre experience I’d ever had. I remember thinking we were in the wrong place because all I saw was a bar and a pool table, but before too long we were let into the cozy theatre where I was to experience my first show done by the House Theatre of Chicago.

The first show I saw there was Hatfield and McCoy. I left the theatre completely awestruck. Not only had the show itself been amazing, the experience had been unlike any other I’d ever had. The theatre was small and completely laid back, somewhere I felt completely comfortable in just jeans and a t-shirt. The actors also really drew the audience in, and the stage wasn’t a raised surface pushed away from the front row, but on the same level as the seats. I don’t know of any other theatre where the actors come out to chat with the audience before a show, or where audience members can chat with the genius writers who are the brains behind the show.  One of my friends and I had what we like to call “a Backstreet Boys moment” when the writer of The House’s best shows came and stood near where we were sitting. To clarify, a “Backstreet Boys moment”  refers to the girls that would freak out about being in the front row of one of their concerts and not want to wash their hand if it was touched by Nick.

Now I’m waiting for the House’s new show, The Attempters. Although I am dying to see the show, I’m also worried that the feel of the theatre will change with the House being moved from the Viaduct theatre to a new location. Part of the magic of the House was its unique location that made anyone feel like they belonged in a theatre. Still, I don’t think anything could turn me away from the House. 

Anyone who's interested should check it out: http://www.thehousetheatre.com/