Uwishunu.com

The Hothouse was written 50 years ago. I’ve never been excited about a 50-year old before. But this is different. This is the Philly premiere of Harold Pinter’s early-written play that was shelved until 1980.

The politically-tinged piece draws on human rights issues and institutionalized bureaucracies, with its touchy setting in a state-run rest home. Patients are given numbers instead of names, staff members are off their rockers, and when one of the inmates is murdered, the brutal comedy twists into a disturbing whodunnit. Pinter’s zany characterization and zippy dialogue made him a Nobel Prize winner in 2005, with his brand of political theater garnering many strong reactions.

Directed by Kathryn MacMillan, the Hothouse features an all-Philadelphian cast of Barrymore winners Kristyn Chouiniere and Mike Dees. It’s a hot house, indeed. The show runs through October 12th.

Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephens Theater
10th & Ludlow St, Philadelphia, PA 19105
www.lanterntheater.org