Supernatural Chicago
Encyclopedia
Supernatural Chicago, currently in its seventh year of performances, has become a mainstay of the Chicago theater scene. The show opened on the appropriately superstition-tinged date of Friday the 13th
in February 2004, and continues in an open-ended run.
, Supernatural Chicago is the longest-running theatrical magic presentation in Chicago. The show is an example of interactive theater
, in that there is no "fourth wall" -- two-way communication between performer and audience is a major portion of each performance. It is environmental theater, as well: its location, the landmark Excalibur (nightclub)
, is a non-traditional theater space cited as a haunted location in several books and on such broadcasts as "Sightings" (A&E Network
), "Haunted Places" (The Travel Channel), and "Dead Famous" (The History Channel
). As such, the building is a crucial element of the audience experience.
In a typical performance, guests may:
Although such subject matter might make audience members expect a horror-style scream show, Tobin's dry sense of humor and restrained style ensure Supernatural Chicago is "more creepy-funny than scary-scary." He adds, "If you can handle The Addams Family
, you can handle this."3
Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th occurs when the thirteenth day of a month falls on a Friday, which superstition holds to be a day of bad luck. In the Gregorian calendar, this day occurs at least once, but at most three times a year...
in February 2004, and continues in an open-ended run.
Honors
- Top Ten Attractions in Chicago as rated by the largest online travel community (TripadvisorTripAdvisorTripAdvisor.com is a travel website that assists customers in gathering travel information, posting reviews and opinions of travel-related content and engaging in interactive travel forums. It is part of the TripAdvisor Media Group, operated by Expedia, Inc. TripAdvisor is a pioneer of...
) - City Pick, Time Out
- Best Bet, Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
- Critic's Pick, MetromixMetromixMetromix is a network of local entertainment websites backed by a joint venture between media companies Gannett and Tribune Co. A guide to local restaurants, bars and clubs, events, concerts and movies, Metromix is currently available in over 60 markets. In late 2009, the company launched 27 new...
- Recommended in articles by the Denver Post1, NewsdayNewsdayNewsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
, the San Jose Mercury NewsSan Jose Mercury NewsThe San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
, the Baltimore Sun, and others
Key Features
A one person show created and starring Chicago "necromancer" Neil TobinNeil Tobin
Neil Tobin is a performer of magical and psychic entertainment.Since his performance material often involves themes of spirit contact—in addition to demonstrations of telepathy, precognition, magic, and even divination—he often performs as "Neil Tobin, Necromancer."-Live Performance:Since Friday...
, Supernatural Chicago is the longest-running theatrical magic presentation in Chicago. The show is an example of interactive theater
Interactive theater
Interactive theatre is a presentational form that breaks the "fourth wall" separating performer and audience both physically and verbally.In traditional theatre, performance is limited to a designated stage area and the action of the play unfolds without any interplay with audience members, who...
, in that there is no "fourth wall" -- two-way communication between performer and audience is a major portion of each performance. It is environmental theater, as well: its location, the landmark Excalibur (nightclub)
Excalibur (nightclub)
The Excalibur nightclub in Chicago was first opened in 1989. It is located in the former Chicago Historical Society building which is a Chicago historical landmark...
, is a non-traditional theater space cited as a haunted location in several books and on such broadcasts as "Sightings" (A&E Network
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
), "Haunted Places" (The Travel Channel), and "Dead Famous" (The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
). As such, the building is a crucial element of the audience experience.
Content
The show centers on Chicago's rich oral history of hauntings and other paranormal events. These stories are brought to life for audience members through interactive demonstrations of the purportedly psychic and magical so that, "[b]y the end, the show isn't about the stories, but about people's experiences with the stories."2In a typical performance, guests may:
- Imagine driving home with Resurrection Mary
- Try to evade the Curse of the Cubs
- Examine the legend of the Devil Baby of Hull House
- Glimpse the spirit channeling of Lurrancy Vennum
Although such subject matter might make audience members expect a horror-style scream show, Tobin's dry sense of humor and restrained style ensure Supernatural Chicago is "more creepy-funny than scary-scary." He adds, "If you can handle The Addams Family
The Addams Family
The Addams Family is a group of fictional characters created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. As named by Charles Addams, the Addams Family characters include Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley, and Thing....
, you can handle this."3
Citations
- 1Top 10 Haunted Attractions from Denver Post, October 26, 2008
- 2Isn't It Necromatic? from Wednesday Journal, October 23, 2007
- 3House of Historical Horrors from Time Out Chicago, October 4-10, 2007
Sources
- Supernatural Chicago: Official Site
- Haunting Tales Fill Late-Night Haunt from the Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, October 27, 2005. - Do You Believe In Magic from Shore Magazine
- Spooks and Spirits from Detours Magazine
- Check It Out, best-bet events for the weekend from the Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, March 12, 2009 - Creep City from the Daily Northwestern
- Paranormal Performer from the Pioneer Press
- Sith City from Red Eye/Metromix
- Stage Frights from Red Eye/Metromix
- Ghosts In The Footlights from PerforminkPerforminkPerformink is a Chicago theatre industry newspaper. It includes show openings and reviews, audition listings, and industry and union news for Chicago actors, directors, dancers, designers, and other theatre professionals. The owner/publishing-editor Carrie Kaufman started the paper in 1990...
, October 26, 2007 - Things To Do In Chicago from Tripadvisor.com