“House of Ideas” at City Lit Theater – An Origin Story With Heart

Pow! Bam! “House of Ideas,” the final installment of Mark Pracht’s “Four Color Trilogy” (so named for the four-color plates traditionally used to illustrate comic books) is a knockout production worthy of being City Lit Theater’s one-hundred and fiftieth production. Directed by Terry McCabe, “House of Ideas” focuses on the often-tumultuous relationship between illustrator Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee. Together the two upstarts created the blueprint for an emerging world of super-heroes that ultimately became known as the Marvel Universe. In doing so, however, the two sparred, first over creative control and then later public recognition.

Judging by the many Marvel themed shirts worn by the opening day audience, it likely would have been enough if Mark Pracht simply offered up a by-the-numbers bio-pic depicting the creation of the Marvel Universe. This production though strives to be something more with an up-tempo, punchy narrative of a first act perfectly setting up a satisfying and emotionally fraught ending. Director Terry McCabe is at the top of his game here and the strong ensemble cast does everything necessary to ensure success.

What makes this production really hum, however, are the superior performances put in by the two lead actors. Brian Plocharczyk is especially impressive as Jack Kirby, a creative genius who positively seethes over not being given enough credit for his endeavors. An even possibly bigger slight to Kirby is Marvel Studio refusing to release to him the thousands of illustrated pages his blood sweat and tears have produced. Playing opposite Plocharczyk is Bryan Breau whose polished Stan Lee embodies everything Kirby has learned to despise. From Stan Lee’s family connections (he was the cousin to their boss) to his show-man like persona, Kirby refuses to see Stan Lee as anything but a leech to his own superior talent. Anchoring both men are their wives, the sophisticated Joan Lee (done exceptionally well by Kate Black-Spence) and salt of the earth Roz Kirby whose spirited portrayal by Carrie Hardin adds real depth to the production.

A critical key to Marvel’s success is the everyman quality of their super-heroes. Superman (a D.C. creation) literally fell out of the sky; an orphan to a superior race lost forever. In contrast, Peter Parker is an anxious man bit by a spider. This production relates in the same way. We cannot all be super heroes, but most of us can understand two hard working but flawed characters who occasionally trip over each other’s ego. “The House of Ideas” is highly recommended. Noel Schecter

“House of Ideas” is highly recommended and runs through October 6. Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 PM. Sundays at 3:00 PM. Performances also on September 23^rd and September 30^th (both Mondays). The September 22^nd performance requires the audience to be fully masked. Tickets $35. Seniors $25. Military and students $12. Tickets available at citylit.org or by phone at (773) 293-3682.