Review: WildClaw Theatre’s The Dreams in the Witch House By Brian Kirst

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WildClaw Theatre’s H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dreams in the Witch House is full of all the things that one would expect from Chicago’s premiere company devoted to works of horror and the macabre. There is plenty of mystery, dread, bloody murder and even an appearance from one of Lovecraft’s famously tentacled otherworldly monsters.

Most importantly, though, director-adaptor Charley Sherman provides a strong emotional core as we become spiritually invested in the quests of the show’s young heroes- Lillith and Gilman. Unknowingly connected, these two separately explore the mysteries of the witch haunted Arkham. As their paths reveal a scientifically twisted commonality, the audience’s love and concern for them grows.

Sherman moodily directs this complicated piece and he is aided immensely by Adam Kozlowski’s stinging sound design, Paul Foster’s smoky lighting, Fraser Coffeen’s explosive effects and Allison Greaves’ detailed costumes and make-up. This team works as a whole to create a product of tension and spooky reality.

The cast, also, brilliantly presents Lovecraft’s unusual situations with an honesty and control that drowns out our disbeliefs and makes us believe in the unbelievable. Proving single handedly that stage magic can exist in even the most simple terms, Brian Amidei disappears into his multiple roles and is almost virtually unrecognizable from one context to the next. J. David Moeller (‘Vern’ in all those Jim Varney commercials, dudes!) provides the show’s zany heart while Thomas Whittington (Gilman) and Casey Cunningham (Lillith) allow us to revel in their confused passion and strength. Chris Hainsworth also supplies miraculous transformative powers in his various roles (proving why he is one of Chicago’s most sought after performers) and Carolyn Klein provides abundant sexuality and mischievous timing as the seductive, all powerful Keziah Mason.

Ultimately, whether you’ve taken multiple trips to the other side of the Necronomicon or not, WildClaw’s journey into The Dreams in the Witch House will provide immense entertainment and frequent moments of spine tingling fun. (And that is something that even famed producer William Castle could get behind, folks!)

The Dreams in the Witch House runs through December 21^st 2008 at Chicago’s Athenaeum Theater at 2936 Southport Avenue. Tickets are $20 with performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.