The children are home for the holidays and are hosting a party. The son has his head mostly in his phone playing a game. The daughter is also usually on her phone talking to her friends. The father is a recovering alcoholic who just started going to AA meetings. The new wife doesn’t like the housekeeper. Her ex-husband was just released from prison after 18 months. The old wife killed herself in the house and now she haunts it as a ghost.

Mia McCullough (Chagrin Falls) has written a story about a very disfunctional family. The first half of the play sets the scene for a more dramatic second half that includes talk about suicide and a gun.

Nathan Hile (Chicago debut) is great as the son, annoyed by everyone that interrupts his game. Tea Baum (Chicago debut) is very funny as Rox, who is consumed by her dating life. Doug Mackechnie is superb as the father, struggling with his new sobriety. Jennifer Jelsema is solid as the new wife, trying to make the house feel like her own. Cindy Gold is splendid as the housekeeper, who became the main mother figure after the old wife died. Joe Zarrow is excellent as the ex-husband, who just wants to spend more time with his daughter. Suzanne Petri is good as the voice of Julia, the doll. Lastly, Ilyssa Fradin is ghostly as the ex-wife, still watching out for her son and making things difficult for the new wife.

Get tickets now for Household Spirits through November 11^th.

Cost of a ticket: $36

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price +

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney