I love this theater company and based on the high volume of subscribers, so does the city of Chicago. When a group of college graduates can start a company and within 5 years achieve the kind of success that Steppenwolf demands to house, we can be assured that this ensemble knows how to entertain. However, it is inevitable with so many incredible performances, one play is bound to fall short.

The Attempters, written by the talented playwright/actor/musician/ Shawn Pfautsch, just doesn't live up to his last stupendous endeavor (an adaptation wherein he brilliantly fused Shakespearean Prose with the exciting feud of the Hatfield and McCoy's). From the get go, this story line lacked a clear foundation, forcing the direction it unavoidably took into a scattered, fast paced question mark. First I was confused by the supersonic rise and fall of the high school band "Complete Anarchy" within the first scene and furthermore baffled when the lead singer was running for a state council position ten minutes later. After the third lightning fast and unjustified change, I decided to just give over to the wonderful world of theatre, stop with the judgment, suspend reality, and roll with the punches. After all, I’ve put my trust in the House Theatre's choices many a times and never once have they disappointed so why get caught up now? And that is when the story began to show some cohesiveness.

Whether it was forced realization or part of first time director and House Theatre company member Marika Mashburn's plan, I began to notice that each abrupt change of idea had an unsystematic thread possibly linked to the main character's constantly shifting mind. Danny Hackles is a self proclaimed abandoned teenager desperate for any kind of fame. This adolescent boy, cartoonishly played by the lively Chris Mathews, is so incredibly selfish that he is unaware of the chaos he is causing those around him. While Danny struggles to be famous in an attempt to win over the president of his fan club's heart, he unknowingly is hurting those who care most about him.

Overall the story is appealing and entertains a few thought out characters and silly high school quibbles. Unfortunately not all parts in this play are created equal. I totally bought Chris Mathews as a teenager, but never once did I buy his overplayed moments of farce in an otherwise realist world. I still have no clue if this is was a directional choice in some venture to make Danny seem more outgoing than his right hand man, Fin McKay (wonderfully played by Johnny Arena), but it reads strange. Even his love interest Nola, played by Mary Winn Heider, has some serious quarks, yet Heider manages to keep Nola's oddities grounded. Don't get me wrong, Chris creates an extremely entertaining character and a fantastic performance ignites...something just doesn't fit in this world of high school track, rock bands, psycologits, movie stars, and politicians. It’s like a Nicky Silver character hanging out in a Neil Labute play.

As the second act approaches Danny and the caricature of the annoying teen he embodies becomes easier to accept; and therein lies the next issue. It's hard to enjoy Danny's personality making it near impossible to later empathize with the kid when the story-line calls for it. If the playwright wanted the audience's blessings or sympathy at any time, we needed a more like-able, fun, and sweet character. I'm not saying he is flawless but there was virtually nothing appealing about his character. By the climax of play I’d had more than enough of his egotistical, narcissistic, arrogant, ego that I felt he was getting what he deserved. The stakes could have been much higher also. He still had two parents (whom he was never very nice to) more than willing to care for him so really, he hadn't lost everything, just a few friends he didn't deserve to have anyway, and go figure we get to witness Danny pouting...again.

Conversationally, Pfautsch's play does makes for some hilarious dialogue and Sean has penciled in countless opportunity for imaginative acting moments. There are extremely witty lines throughout the show and the fast paced banter keeps the action ever present. There is a cute little sub plot between Fin and another girl at the high school. We even get emotional at times. Namely, when the silent rock star, Wayne Vane, tranquilly played by Matt Holzfeind, sings and strums a gorgeous rendition of Danny Boy on guitar while Danny and Nola have a serious and heated conversation.

I do believe that Marika was successful in directing the script she was given, making most events as clear as possible. A brilliant actor herself, the question of Danny's over the top-ness still perplexes me. I hope it wasn't her choice. But respectively honoring the style of the House Theatre Marika creatively incorporates an array of media from live rock and roll, to one of the coolest films ever, to inventive ideas such as how the audience plays a part in this gaggle of different settings. The reporters were my favorite. I always like reporters.

And the greatest scene, hands down, was the yoga/wellness convention complete with champagne. Chris Mathews nailed that scene by living that character in the moment and Marika's brilliant direction was evident. And the film that's incorporated later in the show reminds us how versatile and talented this group of young performers are. I didn't want that movie to end and if the House Theatre ever decides to do a show solely revolving around the invisible man...I’ll be the first one to buy a ticket!