A Glimmer of Light at Acacia Theatre

MILWAUKEE (February 5, 2024) – A member of the legendary Inklings—the distinguished writing group that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—Charles Williams was a prolific writer who excelled in a range of styles, admired by W.H. Auden and T.S. Eliot. Two of Williams’ short plays, The House by the Stable and its sequel, Grab and Grace, dramatize the struggle of good and evil, personifying the forces that grapple for an upper hand—including Man, Pride, Faith, Hell and Grace. They’re fantasies of truth, told with humility, by a 20th century master of the genre. Rarely staged, both plays are being presented as one production at Acacia Theatre under the title The House by the Stable.

“When it was produced for the first time in 1939, people needed a glimmer of light,” director Elaine Wyler observes. “And we need one now. Oh, baby, we do.” Wyler appeared as Pride in a staging of The House by the Stable early in Acacia’s existence, and is now returning to the material as director. “It’s a timeless piece, in every respect. It’s set in a timeless landscape…one of the main themes is people being completely unaware they have a soul of value. Can you even imagine what the world would be like if people knew the value of their soul? If people walked around with consciousness of that aspect of who they are, evil would have to gain access to it in a different way.”

While audiences may not associate allegory with comedy, the production is no somber affair. “There was a fun moment we were working recently where literally it was just pandemonium onstage,” Wyler laughs. “Faith is right in the middle, absolutely calm. Everybody else is just running around and screaming. The cast has made it funny in places I didn’t realize it was funny.”

Ultimately, The House by the Stable is a narrative with purpose. “There’s a line in the play about people feeding on the thought that they are everlastingly loved,” Wyler reflects. “There isn’t a single soul out there who isn’t longing to be seen and heard and loved, unconditionally. The play really opens up some little place in your heart and mind to just reconsider your value.”

In keeping with Acacia’s commitment to make theatre more accessible, all tickets for The House by the Stable are Pay-What-You-Can and can be purchased at www.acaciatheatre.com or by calling 414-744-5995. Performances will be given in The Norvell Commons at St. Christopher’s Church, located at 7845 North River Road, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

Performances
Fri., March 1 at 7:30 PM, Sat., March 2 at 7:30 PM, Sun., March 3 at 3:00 PM, Thu., March 7 at 7:30 PM, Fri., March 8 at 7:30 PM, Sat., March 9 at 4:00 PM, Sun., March 10 at 3:00 PM, Fri., March 15 at 7:30 PM, Sat., March 16 at 4:00 PM, Sun., March 17 at 3:00 PM

Ticket Information
All performances of The House by the Stable are Pay-What-You-Can. Tickets can be purchased at www.acaciatheatre.com or by calling 414-744-5995.

About Acacia Theatre Company
Founded in 1980, Acacia Theatre Company is an independent, non-profit, interdenominational group of dramatic artists who share a common desire to integrate art and faith by presenting theatre from a Judeo-Christian worldview. Through uplifting, quality entertainment, Acacia provides occasion for thanksgiving, growth and enjoyment, and the opportunity for Christians and non-Christians to consider their lives in relation to God. More information is available at www.acaciatheatre.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.