House Theatre of Chicago to Present ROSE AND THE RIME, Begin. 1/17

The House Theatre of Chicago brings their very favorite myth to life in their signature style. The multi-talented ensemble blends music, swirling acrobatic dance, spectacle, and stage craft to spin this cautionary tale. Set in a "little town by a big lake", young Rose undertakes a brave adventure to rescue a magic coin from the icy clutches of the Rime Witch. She saves her town, but can she change her fate? The all-ages original play by Company Members Nathan Allen, Chris Mathews, and Jake Minton begins performances January 17, 2014 at The Chopin Theatre (1543 W Division St.) and will transfer to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in April.

House Artistic Director Nathan Allen directs this modern myth for the Middle West. Company Member Tommy Rapley choreographs the acrobatic journey of young Rose into the frozen wilderness, including the stunning wire work of flying actors overhead. Company Member Paige Collins (picutred above) stars as Rose. The Chicago production previews January 17 - 25 and opens on Sunday January 26 at 7pm at the Chopin Theatre (1543 W. Division St). ROSE AND THE RIME will run through March 9, 2014 in Chicago. The show will transfer to the Arsht Center beginning April 23.

Originally developed at Hope College in 2008 ROSE AND THE RIME won the honor of playing the Kennedy Center as Best Original Work in the KCACTF festival. Re-staged by The House in 2009, ROSE AND THE RIME tackles big themes considered central to many of the stories told at The House. Our hero, young Rose, must risk her life to save her friends and family from the spell that keeps them frozen in perpetual winter. Rose recovers a magic coin from the evil Rime Witch high in the mountains. When the coin is returned, the freezing spell is lifted, and for a moment, Radio Falls appears rescued from their icy fate. But the coin's power inspires bigger dreams, and greed creeps slowly into the thawed Townsfolk. Rose must finally fight to keep the coin from falling into the wrong hands. But can she bear the power herself?

ROSE AND THE RIME will transfer to The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in April 2014 for a five-week run, in a continuing partnership between Arsht and The House.

ROSE AND THE RIME is written by Nathan Allen, Chris Mathews and Jake Minton, and directed by Nathan Allen. Tommy Rapley leads the ensemble in the dance-like movement as Choreographer, and Kevin O'Donnell lends the score.

Company Members Michael E Smith and Joey Steakley return to their roles as Uncle Roger and Charlie, respectively. Company Member Paige Collins (The Nutcracker, The Crownless King) will take on the title role as Rose, and Company Member Christine Mayland Perkins also appears in the ensemble. Last seen in 2007's The Nutcracker, Equity actress Ericka Ratcliff returns to The House in the title role of the Rime Witch. Wire work and new original songs make Rose's encounter with the Witch spellbinding and heartbreaking.

Guest artist Brandon Holmes (recently seen in Steppenwolf's Three Sisters) appears as Rose's love interest, Jimmy. The ensemble is rounded out by returning guest artist Kara Davidson, and new faces Jeremy Sonkin, Dan Toot, and Tamara White.

Company Member Collette Pollard designs a new space for this re-imagined production, creating a darker, more isolated world for each resident of Radio Falls, where tiny homes stand in solitary snow storms day after day. With seating on three sides of the stage, the audience is part of the snowy world.
Company Member Melissa Torchia bundles the cast up for the icy weather, in an urban Midwestern palate. Company Member Lee Keenan designs lights that transport us from Rose's dreamy, childhood visions, to the harsh realities of life in a broken town. Jeff Award-winning composer and Company Member Kevin O'Donnell shares a score influenced by doo-wop, harkening to the show's Michigan roots. Company Member Joshua Horvath (Sound) completes the team.

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