See This: House Theatre’s Rose and The Rime

By Julienne Bilker in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 2, 2009 7:15PM

If you’ve ever wanted to hang out inside a snow globe without freezing your face off, venture over to the Chopin Theatre for The House Theatre of Chicago’s self-proclaimed “original Midwestern fairytale,” Rose and The Rime. Upon entering the theater and through the show’s opening moments, the infectiously joyous ensemble, omnipresent tissue-paper confetti-snow and overall exuberant atmosphere might have you convinced you’ve landed in the middle of a ticker-tape parade celebrating winter itself. However, in typical fairytale fashion, all is not as it seems.

Think Chicago winters are endless? Be thankful you’re not a resident of Radio Falls, a Michigan town trapped in perpetual winter for a generation thanks to a nasty curse invoked by the Rime Witch, until its youngest resident, Rose, sets out to break it. The ensemble cast deftly acts as snow, wind and puppet-masters of various obstacles Rose must overcome on her journey. Lighting shifts are magnified against an all-white set to instantly alter time and place, and original music (some of which is performed by the cast) creates potent mood changes. The resulting combination allows a seemingly simple design concept to offer limitless possibilities: In what struck us as the most emotionally gripping, powerful culmination of these elements, a haunting violin solo accompanies Rose’s struggle through an eerie labyrinth of grotesquely warped tree branches as the audience holds its breath in anticipation of her triumph or failure.

Rose’s quest succeeds, and the stage erupts in a beach party/barbecue/dance number as the townspeople throw winter clothes to the floor and hot dogs to the audience. Radio Falls seems headed for happily-ever-after, but every parable needs a lesson. Although the tale’s serious turn comes a bit abruptly, its message is familiar - anything powerful enough to fulfill your dreams is powerful enough to destroy them.

Performed in one 80-minute act, Rose and The Rime runs through April 11. Seating is open - there are a few rows flanking the stage for those who like being in the middle of the action (and want to try the hot dogs), but there aren’t any bad seats in the house.

Be sure to take advantage of one of these deals when buying your ticket:

• free pre-show pizza March 5 and 12
• bring a new or gently used fiction or children’s book for $5 off (books will be donated to Open Books, Ltd)
• group and student discounts are available (call 773.251.2195)

Photo of Carolyn Defrin as Rose by Michael Brosilow