House Theater of Chicago: the Nutcracker December 3, 2010

The House's completely re-imagined version of 'The Nutcracker' first premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre in 2007 under the Visiting Company Initiative. An adaptation of the original tale by ETA Hoffman, with an original score by composer and House company member Kevin O'Donnell. The House's fantastical deconstruction of this holiday classic centers on Clara's journey to save her family from the Rat King before Christmas, with the help of a Nutcracker, a gift from her beloved Uncle Drosselmeyer. What unfolds is a heartwarming holiday story that weaves together riveting dialogue, astonishing puppetry, beautiful song and spellbinding spectacle to tell a darkly moving story of magic and mystery.