ONE HOUSE OVER

Sunday was our last play this season as Milwaukee Rep subscribers. I had kept up my subscription once moving to the opposite side of Wisconsin thirteen years ago. Besides good theater it was a great opportunity to visit friends, favorite restaurants and even some big city shopping. Over the years due to distance, weather and most importantly mediocrity rather than superior performances, I let the subscription lapse. I would just wait for good reviews to purchase specific play tickets.  Then a couple of years ago the play choices and direction improved and for the last couple of years our season subscription has been renewed. This past season didn't disappoint and this Sunday's World Premiere last performance of One House Over was outstanding. Wonderful set, acting and script.

If One House Over comes your way it is a must see. The play has one setting, a Chicago brick bungalow's back yard which reminded me of bohemian Berwyn, a Chicago suburb along Cermak Road. The cast consisted of 5 actors: an elderly czech male who lives with his daughter, a divorcee violin teacher, the young Mexican couple who live in the house's basement, the husband's kitchen staff in an Italian restaurant and his wife is the newly hired caretaker for the czech man and the nosy next door neighbor. That's it.

What does it mean to be a good neighbor? 

This play is all about borders and boundaries, some set, some spoken, some unspoken and some changing due to time, circumstances and of course power. A microcosm of racism in one household learning to face their prejudices. Those who arrived with a golden ticket and those who didn't. One House Over is an excellent production where the fences which now separate  backyards also separate us as human beings.

One House Over lends itself to so much timely introspection and discussion. We sat there in the Quadracci surrounded by the very same stereotypes and race relation issues portrayed in the play and  yes, the common ground which also unites us.  

Perhaps you too will join us for the Milwaukee Rep's 65th Anniversary season. It looks like a very special one and we are hitting the Sunday matinees next season! BTW Much easier with the driving.  Special pricing ends this week.