October 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff

Infusion Theatre Company, one of Chicago's more creative troupes, attempts to bring us new plays that they can incorporate with other elements of entertainment (music, dance, film and puppetry).  In their current production "Rhymes With Evil," it is puppetry that is utilized in a marvelous suspense story.  Written by Chicago area writer Charles R. Traeger, this is a story that will have you glued to your seats as it unfolds.  The story is about a stay at home dad who was fired from his teaching job, forcing his wife to become the bread winner.

Lathan is a mixture of Robin Williams and PeeWee Herman as he lives in his rural home with his "family" of dolls and puppets.  Andy Luther makes this character very real and quite lovable as he does his Mrs. Doubtfire character with his sweet little daughter Jenny (a very soft spoken Caroline Heffernan with a sweet face and a darling personality) and his puppet alter-ego Mr. Pim.  The wife, Sara (deftly handled by Victoria Gilbert) is having an affair with her attorney, James (Andy Baldeschwiler) and is ready to leave Lathan for him.   When they confront Lathan with the news, the play takes a different turn and some of the mystery begins to unfold.

Director Mitch Golob paces the story so that we the audience cannot even guess what might be the truth about this dysfunctional family.  He weaves the story through his performers perfectly so that when, in act two, we learn about some of the past and why Sara and Lathan are no longer what they were, we are shocked and in the final scenes, as the truth is told, there are gasps throughout the audience.  I will not reveal what transpires, lest I spoil a marvelous theatrical experience, but I will tell you that Ms. Gilbert and Mr.Luther are wonderful in this tale of love and love lost.  Cynthia Castiglione plays Agnes, Sara's sister, who as it turns out was more involved in the story than it seems.  In fact, much of the story is not what it appears to be and is well played out by this fine cast of actors.

This all takes place at the Storefront Theatre, that little black box theater located on Randolph Street between Michigan and Wabash and this production has by far the most elaborate set I have ever seen in this building.  Keith Pitts has built a house of horror that is as detailed a set as I have ever seen and the puppets created by Meredith Miller are amazing.  Dawn Myrie's props are also amazing and the detail throughout this production is amazing!  Miles Polaski's sound and music adds the perfect touch as do the lighting effects by Charles Cooper.  From start to finish this is a quality production and the timing couldn't be better with Halloween just around the corner.  I would suggest, however that you not bring children to this one.  They may not sleep at night if you do.

"Rhymes " will continue through November 8, 2009 at The Storefront Theater.  Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.  On Halloween weekend, October 30 and 31, just to make the production a little scarier, the start time will be 10 p.m.  Tickets are a mere $25 and can be purchased at the box office located at 66 East Randolph Street, by phone at 312-742-8497 or online at www.dcatheater.org  where you can also learn about the other shows this season.  To learn more about  this theater troupe www.infusiontheatre.com.