Steadstyle Chicago
	February 2010 Theatre Review by Chris Arnold
	The Skin of Our Teeth For the longest time Thornton Wilder was a name beloved by theatre connoisseurs, and groaned upon when brought up in Theatre Literature class.  Lately, partially thanks to David Cromer's "Our Town", Wilder has received a renaissance.  The Artistic Home is tackling the Pulitzer Prize winning "The Skin of Our Teeth" to mixed results. "The Skin of Our Teeth" follows the eccentric Antrobus family through three phases of existence.  Each act of this three-act play showcases the family trying to exist while disaster is in the immediate foreground.  The first act shows a "Father Knows Best" Americana.  In the second act Mr. Antrobus has been promoted in an ultra modern society.  The third act shows the Antrobus family trying to hold the pieces together as the outside world is at war.  If you follow current events the concept of moving along with imminent disaster is certainly timely. "The Skin of Our Teeth" is a purposely-bizarre play, and Director Jeff Christian is successful at making it tangible.  I was most impressed with his knack to create intimate moments that nearly sucked me in, but quickly shifted to remind me I was watching a play.  The entire ensemble bought into the over-the-top acting style with 100% commitment.  However, I must give a shout out to Maria Stephens for making the challenging role of Sabina seem so easy.  Sabina is the mercurial, quasi-narrator with constant connection to the audience and has been a challenge to the most seasoned performers. My issue was more so with the play than the production.  The Artistic Home made a valiant effort to make this rarely produced play fresh and emotionally charged, but ultimately "The Skin of Our Teeth" is just plain dated and esoteric.  A problem I had with the production is how heavily it weighed on audience participation, and I question how it would go over with an introverted or small house.  So I question how much the casual theatre patron (with little to no knowledge of Thornton Wilder or this play) will appreciate this production.  If you are in mood for something different, and very well acted, this play is worth a look. "The Skin of Our Teeth" will play through April 11, 2010 at The Artistic Home Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago (1 block south of Irving Park Blvd).  Accessible via the CTA Sheridan Red Line Station, and CTA Bus Routes #22 Clark and #80 Irving Park. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 3:00pm.  Tickets are $27 (Fridays & Saturdays), $25 (Thursdays & Sundays).  For questions regarding rickets, please call (866) 811-4111 or go to www.theartistichome.org.   About Chris Arnold Chris Arnold has been in Chicago for seven years where he has directed for Act One Studios, the side project, Bailiwick, Illinois Theatre Center, LiveWire Theater, and Diamante Productions, amongst others.  For three years he was a company member with Circle Theatre, and directed the Jeff Recommended productions "Escanaba in Love" and "Boy".  He also directed "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with Circle Theatre Youth Ensemble.  He is the former Associate Artistic Director for Thunder & Lightning Ensemble where he directed "Jack Goes Boating," "Red Light Winter" (Named one of the top five memorable productions by a smaller troupe: New City 2008), and "Earl the Vampire".  Chris has interned at Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre.  While at the Goodman he had the opportunity to serve as the Script Manager for the world premiere of "Blue Surge" by Rebecca Gilman.  When not directing Chris teaches in the Literature & Theatre Department(s) at The Chicago Academy for the Arts, where he has directed "Doubt" and "The Pillowman".  He writes for Chicagocritic.com, and is a member of the Artistic/Technical Team for the Jeff Committee.  Spring 2010 Chris will be a Teaching Artists with American Theatre Company as part of their American Mosaic Program.  He holds an MFA in Directing (with a focus in Critical Studies) from The University of Memphis.