Tommy Rapley Joins DEATH AND HARRY HOUDINI, Beginning Tonight at House Theatre
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 21, 2013
The House Theatre of Chicago's 2012 hit production, Death and Harry Houdini, returns in four weeks to The Chopin Theatre (1543 W. Division St.). Previews begin tonight, June 21, and Press Opening is Sunday June 30th at 7:30pm.
Company Member and the production's choreographer Tommy Rapley dons stilts and a ten-foot coat to step into the role of Death. Rapley is well known to House audiences for his work as a director (The Nutcracker) and choreographer. He was just seen as The Boy, performing aerial arts, back flips and sleight of hand, playing opposite magician Dennis Watkins in The Magnificents. Rapley joins the seven returning cast members, including Company Member Carolyn Defrin flying back from her first year of study in London where she is pursuing a Masters Degree in Performance and Design at Central St. Martins' College.
The company's dynamic production played to sold-out crowds in Chicago and Miami from January through August of 2012. Multiple extensions were not enough to fill ticket demand. The 8-week run of the production from today, June 21 - August 11, 2013gives another 5,000 theatre-lovers the chance to see the acclaimed production.
The Equity Joseph Jefferson Award for Artistic Specialization - Magic Design was given to Company Member Dennis Watkins in November 2012. He was honored alongside nominations for Best Production - Play Midsize, Best Direction, Best Lighting Design - Midsize, Best Costume Design - Midsize, Best Sound Design - Midsize, and Original Incidental Music.
Artistic Director Nathan Allen returned to his very first script having spent the last decade developing The House's voice. The House's original production in 2001 featured magic, music, dance, and film. Now Allen, along with The House's incredibly artistically diverse ensemble, has brought their experience in creating ensemble theater and devising story to the life of history's greatest magician, while reaching deep into its bag of tricks to create an altogether new theatrical event.
Company Member, actor and award-winning magician Dennis Watkins brings a lifetime of creating magic to the character of Harry Houdini. Watkins has designed a magical landscape for The House to play in that includes many of Houdini's original creations, as well as an onslaught of classic magic driving the story's narrative.
Additionally, Watkins performs Houdini's most infamous stage escape, The Water Torture Cell, in which he is locked upside down in a tank of water, with only as much time to escape as he has air in his lungs. The Water Torture Cell, as performed by Houdini, is a rarely-seen stage escape. Furthermore, The House boasts the first-ever recorded performance of The Water Torture Cell in the round. This escape gives the audience the one-of-a-kind opportunity to witness magical history from inches away!
Seven original cast members will return for the 2013 production joined by Company Member Tommy Rapley as Death. House Company Member Carolyn Defrin takes on the role of Houdini's wife, Bess and Company Member Shawn Pfautsch (recently acclaimed for performances as Cyrano at The House and as Nanki-Poo in The Hypocrites' Mikado) plays Houdini's brother, Theo. Company Member Marika Mashburn plays Houdini's mother, Cecilia. Visiting artists Abu Ansari and Trista Smith reprise their roles. The ensemble is led by Company Member Johnny Arena as The Ringmaster.
The show features the work of an all-star Company Member Design Team, many of whom were nominated for Joseph Jefferson Awards for their work in 2012. Collette Pollard has designed a bold industrial set, which is lit by Ben Wilhelm. Composer Kevin O'Donnell brought a new sound to the show and Lee Keenan designed costumes.
Join The House for the epic story of Harry Houdini and his life-long battle against Death for the 2013 Summer run, June 21 through August 11.
Death and Harry Houdini, written and directed by Nathan Allen, with magic by Dennis Watkins, runs June 21 - August 11, 2013, playing Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00pm beginning July 6th. *Please note that the performance on Saturday 6/29 is at 7:00pm, and the Opening Night on Sunday 6/30 is at 7:30pm. All performances play The Chopin Theatre Upstairs Theatre (1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL)
Tickets: $25 Previews June 21 - 29th, $40 Regular Run, $10 Student and Industry Same-Day tickets available at all performances if seats are available. Purchase at www.thehousetheatre.com or by phone at 773.769.3832. Tickets and Membership packages are on sale now.
The House is Chicago's premier home for original works of physical and spectacle storytelling. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago's next generation of great storytellers, The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular artform.
The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. In 2002 The House was hailed by the Chicago press as "The Next Big Thing." In early 2007, following dozens of world premiere productions, and national attention from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Variety, and American Theatre Magazine, The House achieved even greater success with "The Sparrow," which Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones called, "Among the very best original theater pieces I've ever seen."
Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has been nominated for 56 Joseph Jefferson Awards (19 wins) and became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago's Emerging Theater Award in 2007. Now entering its 11th year of original work, The House continues its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.
For more information, visit www.thehousetheatre.com.
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