Verboten

Recommended *** Punk rock is not my thing! When Michael Mahler guested on my radio show, he advised me that there was a great deal to be seen in The House Production that has just been extended until March 29th, “Verboten” with a book by Brett Neveu and music & lyrics by Jason Narducy. This is in fact Narducy’s story. He grew up in a suburb of Chicago. As happens to many teens, life is somewhat senseless ( at least in their eyes) and so they seek a place to escape. Music or theater can be the perfect way. Actors become other than who they really are, and musicians find their words can fill the minds of others and ease their frustrations.

“Verboten” directed by Nathan Allen, the Artistic Director of House Theater who brings new ideas and concepts to this company on a regular basis, this is a punk rock type of musical that may be far too much for an older crowd. I will say that when Jane and I entered the Chopin Theater the average age of the audience went up quite a bit. I would think that the average age was about 26 when we got there. I think the shoes I was wearing were about the same age. The overall tech aspects of the show were amazing. Lee Keenan’s lighting on hi set design added the feels that were important to the story. The rooms and stairs were at some times confusing to some audience members as each of te band members utilized the same bedroom, living room and more with little change. Kasey Foster’s choreography was powerful and the sound (Grover Hollway) worked for the music, if not the dialogue. QUESTION: I fht actors are wearing microphones, why not use them for the words as well as the music? There were times I could not hear what they were saying, but when they went into song-WOW!!!!

The cast members are all musicians as well as vocalists and actors, and most of them are pretty good as far as movement goes.

This is an ensemble piece so I will make sure that each one is heard: Kieran McCabe, Krystal Ortiz, Matthew Lunt, Jeff Kurysz, Jimmy Chung, Ray Rehberg, Paul Brian Fagen, Jenni M. Hadley, Marika Mashburn, Marc A. Rogers and as drums, Timothy Daniel Remis.

Narducy along with his  friends formed the band called Verboten. Jason came from a broken home and as many did, escape for him was with his friends and his music. His father had taken him to concerts and so his love formusic was more than just the music, it was his relationship with his dad. It was what bound them. This is his story as told through th eeyes of Neveu and Allen who assited with the full development bringing it to the stage of The House. The perfect place for a production like this. It found a home as did Narducy.

The play has been extended until the 29th at Chopin Theatre located at 1543 West Division Street ( between Ashland and Milwaukee Avenues). Tickets range from $30-$50 and can be purchased by calling 773-769-3832 or online at www.thehousetheatre.com

Performances times:

Thursdays  8 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  8 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Run time 2 hours with one intermission. Beverages ( of all types) can be purchased and brought into the theater. You might want to bring ear plugs if loud music offends, but be prepared to take tem out when te characters are speaking or you might miss the story. There is some violent action and loud music but a solid story about life.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Verboten”.