ROSE AND THE CAST: Carolyn Defrin stars as the heroine who have a town from a winter, someone we all need about now. (Michael Brosilow)
The House Theatre of Chicago is a group of artists whose mission is to bring a story to a community that will bind them together, even if only for the duration of the production before them. Their stories deal with communities that for one reason or another have a problem that is solved because of a hero who saves that community.
Their "Rose and Rime" was the winner of the American College Theatre Festival in 2008 and was selected to be performed at the 2008 National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Written by Chris Mathews, Jake Minton, and Nathan Allen, "Rose and the Rime" is an 80 minute theatrical experience that tells the tale of a small Michigan town, Radio Falls. The town is trapped in winter and has been for many years. The stage is filled with white and snow. Trees and telephone wires are all ice covered and the people of the town are all bundled up from morning to night. Rose, a young girl (Carolyn Defrin), who lives with her uncle wants to know how this situation came to be and where her parents are.
It turns out a witch stole a magic coin and froze the town under. Rose sets out to follow the storm and find this coin and bring back the sunshine and happiness to Radio Falls.
The journey is well directed (Nathan Allen) and choreographed (Tommy Rapley) using the ensemble to assist Rose over, for example, a rickety frozen bridge. She climbs ropes from every angle and at last finds the storm center where the witch resides.
Carolyn Defrin is a delight to watch on stage. Her face tells you what she feels even when there are no words. Michael E. Smith portrays her uncle with pure honesty.
Rose finishes her journey and gets the magic coin back and the town is saved. But in reality, is it? There are two sides to the coin: while all are jubilant to be able to picnic again, the coin creates greed and jealousy. This turn of events suggests that anything that can make all your dreams come true may destroy those around you. The ending will surprise you as it did me.
The cast did a marvelous job of storytelling this moral tale. But it is the total package that makes it work: the set, lights, sound, music (Kevin O'Donnell) choreography and direction.
This show appears to be designed for a younger audience but may appeal to an older audience as well.
Also in the cast are Brandon Ruiter, Joey Steakley, Dana Tretta, Lucy Carapetyan, John Francisco, Chelsea Keenan, Maria McCullough, Stephanie Polt, Brett Schneider, and Zeke Sulkes.
Rose and the Rime
The Chopin Theatre
1543 W. Division Street, Chicago
Tickets: (773) 251-2195 or www.TheHouseTheatre.com
Closes: April 11
Alan Bresloff writes about theater in and around the Chicago area.
