OFFBEAT: Long-awaited 'Clutter' play about the real Collyer Brothers opening in Chicago

When I think of today's media and TV fixation with the human odd behavior of hoarding, I think of the release of the documentary "Grey Gardens" (1975).

It's the shocking film doc spotlight of Jackie Kennedy Onassis' eccentric aunt, "Big" Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little" Edie Beale, who was Jackie's cousin.

Filmmakers Albert and David Maysles profiled these relatives of Jackie and sister Lee Radziwill, who, as children, spent many weekends at the Beales' beautiful East Hampton 28-room mansion. The estate was called Grey Gardens after the eerie-but-beautiful ocean mist that hovered over the gardens in early morning hours.

The reclusive Beales, an odd mother-daughter duo, were living in a false reality. Though they envisioned themselves as wealthy and privileged socialites, they were living in a lofty house with holes in the roof, raccoons in the attic, cats everywhere and garbage stacking up in every musty room of antiques and memories.

It's a fascinating subject, with a sideshow appeal.

Wendy Kaplan, President of MadKap Productions, announced last month that the riveting new production "CLUTTER: The True Story of the Collyer Brothers Who Never Threw Anything Out" will make its Midwest Premiere at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave., in Chicago, opening Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and closing March 11, 2012.

"CLUTTER" is written by seven-time Emmy Award winning playwright Mark Saltzman, whose claim-to-fames include writing for The Muppets and "Sesame Street," along with his Writer's Guild Award nomination, and five L.A. Ovation Award nominations including Best Musical.

Wayne Mell, Managing Director at Citadel, will direct the production.

"CLUTTER" originally made its World Premiere at the Colony Theater in Burbank in 2004 to much acclaim.

It's based on the compelling true story of the wealthy, reclusive Collyer Brothers who became hoarders in their Fifth Avenue mansion in 1920s Harlem.

The play unfolds after years of compulsive collecting, as the brothers have become notorious shut-ins in their aristocratic New York neighborhood. Langley Collyer is missing and Homer Collyer is found dead amongst floor-to-ceiling piles of newspapers, books, and junk.

The police investigating the case, two brothers with a strained relationship mirroring that of the Collyers, are simultaneously making discoveries about themselves.

Narrated by the brothers and the police investigating the bizarre case, I'm told this darkly fascinating tale is a poignant and profound exploration of human behavior.

There will be a "talkback" session immediately following the performances every other Thursday evening starting with the "CLUTTER" "Theater Thursday" event on Feb. 2.

Dr. Scott Kaplan, an Illinois licensed clinical psychologist, will facilitate these sessions to address questions about hoarding and other themes explored in the play.

On Feb. 2, "The Wire" and "Les Miserables" national tour actor Michael Kostroff, who recently starred in a New York City table reading of "CLUTTER," will participate in the talkback to discuss "CLUTTER" from an actor's perspective. Kostroff will be presenting an "Audition Psych 101" workshop for Chicagoland actors at The Greenhouse Theater Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. To RSVP for the "Pay What You Can" event, contact Auditionpsych101@aol.com.

"CLUTTER" stars Andrew J. Pond as "Langley Collyer," Northwestern and University of Chicago graduate Edward Kuffert as "Homer Collyer,"  Joe Mack as "Sgt. Reilly Dolan" and Michael Jay Bullaro as "Patrolman Keven Dolan." The production also features Jeff Award winner Stephen M. Genovese and Tim Walsh.

The artistic team for "CLUTTER" is led by director Wayne Mell who has been Managing Director at Citadel since 2009, most recently directing "Something's Afoot" (which starred "CLUTTER" leads Pond and Kuffert. Mell began his directing career in 1976, receiving the Talented Student Scholarship from Northern Illinois University, going on to continue his study of directing at Victory Gardens, as well as improvisation at The Second City.

He continued to direct at Citadel, Attic Playhouse and Bailiwick Repertory's Director's Festival.

Sound Design is by Bob Boxer, lighting design is by Matthew R. Godlewski, costumed design is by Jeff Award-winner Bill Morey, properties design is by Mary Odowd and set design is by Andrei Onegin.

Playwright Saltzman, who began his career writing for "The Muppet Show" with Jim Henson, is the winner of seven Emmy Awards for his work on "Sesame Street."

Years after being scolded by his mother, who referred to him as a Collyer brother for having a messy room, Saltzman's research on the famous hoarders inspired him to write "CLUTTER."

Producer Kaplan has been producing theatre since the age of 18. She was previously managing director of Stage Two Theatre Company and has produced for many regional theater companies and worked on various Broadway productions.

Performances for "CLUTTER" will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday nights and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Ticket prices range from $15 for students, $30 for seniors $30-35 for groups and $40 for general admission. FYI: (773) 404-7336 or visit greenhousetheater.org.

The Box Office is open from 12-8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 12-4 p.m. Sunday. For group tickets call (312) 423-6612 or visit grouptheatertix.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or (219) 852-4327.