The House Theatre to Present DEATH & HARRY HOUDINI, 5/12-7/24

The House Theatre of Chicago is proud to announce the return of the first play to ever grace its stage, the magic-filled thrill show and crowd favorite Death & Harry Houdini, written and directed by The House Theatre of Chicago Artistic Director Nathan Allen and starring Company Member and professional magician Dennis Watkins as Harry Houdini. Filled with stunning magic, poignant dialogue and original music, Death & Harry Houdini presents the story of history's most famous magician and his life-long war against Death. The production runs from May 12 - July 24 at the Chopin Theatre's Upstairs Theater, 1543 W. Division St.

Previews are Thursday, May 12 - Sunday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m. Regular performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Additional performances on Wednesdays at 7:30pm in July. Preview tickets are $30 and regular run tickets range from $45 - 59. $15 same-day tickets for students and industry professionals are available for all dates, seats permitting. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thehousetheatre.com or call 773.769.3832. The production previously ran to great acclaim and sold out houses in Chicago and Miami from January through August 2012 and again in the summer of 2013, The House is thrilled to bring back this dynamic and magic-filled production.

"Magic of the very highest order!," declared Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune. "Soar[ing] on Dennis Watkins' brilliance as a genuine magician" and "ingeniously written and directed by Nathan Allen," (Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times), Death & Harry Houdini leads viewers through the events of history's most famous magician's life told with "high energy and lack of artifice in a loose, buzzy blend of traditional storytelling, music and spectacle," (Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago). Beginning with the untimely passing of Harry's father, the show travels through his first tent shows with his younger brother Theo, meeting his wife Bess and the beginning of his journey towards fame on the Vaudeville circuit. All the while, Harry feels Death close on his heels and he won't rest until he's conquered him once and for all. Harry will walk on broken glass, swallow razor blades and risk his life in the Water Torture Cell, but will he pull off an escape from Death? Marvel with fellow audience members as Houdini battles Death once more.

Returning to the cast and joining Dennis Watkins as Harry Houdini are House Company Members Carolyn Defrin (Bess), Shawn Pfaustch (Theo), Tommy Rapley (Death), Marika Mashburn (Cecilia), and Johnny Arena (Ringmaster). Guest artists Rashad Hall and Julia Merchant join the ensemble.

The Design Team includes House Company members: Nathan Allen (director/playwright), Collette Pollard (scenic designer), Lee Keenan (costume design), Ben Wilhelm (light designer), Kevin O'Donnell (sound designer/composer) and Brian DesGranges (stage management), with guest artist Harrison Adams (co-sound design).

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