Her Story Theater: The Official Biography
Gary Houston and Shelby Marie Edwards
Her Story Theater Presents THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY Review - A Trap or The Truth?
TLDR: When creative non-fiction writer Xan Smith is challenged to meet with her exact opposite, fiction writer Henry Percival, the two develop a precarious friendship over the years. A one act, one set play, The Official Biography keeps us on our toes as we watch them dance around each other and grow closer leading to an ultimate twist.
Shelby Marie Edwards and Gary Houston
An Unlikely Pair
He’s a recluse, the stereotypical writer living remotely in the woods in his secluded cabin. She’s a writer from the city with a drive to succeed. He’s an old, white man. She’s a young, Black woman. They come from two different worldviews and backgrounds, and yet somehow find themselves staring each other down across his rusted, wrought iron garden table.
Through an assignment issued by her editor, Xan Smith (Shelby Marie Edwards), a creative non-fiction writer finds herself driving to famous novelist Henry Percival’s (Gary Houston) home in the woods. She has a bone to pick with his work and her editor has challenged her to read his works, interview him, and publish a piece about it. She comes with a chip on her shoulder, but finds Henry a formidable opponent as they verbally spar and pick apart each other’s chosen writing style. Each time the scene changes, a few months, sometimes years, have passed between Xan’s last visit to Henry. We become familiar with their dynamic and settle in like she does. While he stays in his usual flannel, corduroy pants, and cozy sweater vest the only indication they’re growing and changing is by Xan’s wardrobe slowly upgrading (costume design by Mary Bonnett).
Through these brief snippets throughout The Official Biography, their friendship grows as Xan now becomes more entrenched in uncovering the truth about Henry’s supposedly fictitious novel
Gary Houston and Shelby Marie Edwards
Slow Build with Twists
The entire story is set at Henry’s remote cabin, three hours outside of the city. We see the front of his house, weathered with a front porch overlooking the yard. Trees make up the rest of the set off to the right making us feel enclosed. We focus on the circle of light in the clearing where a table and two chairs sit across from each other. Henry sits comfortably in his armchair and Xan perches on the opposite chair, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of sitting in bird poop. But as the plot thickens, both from our standpoint and from Xan’s, she can’t help herself but sit down and lean in closer.
Because the plot of his most famous novel is a murder and also the fact that the victim is also a Black woman, we have that lurking in the back of our minds as Xan routinely drives to his house alone on multiple occasions. Why does she keep coming back? Morbid curiosity? A need to find the truth?
As more and more is revealed through each scene, that simmering cautiousness in us slowly ebbs away. These two eventually develop a mutual fondness after spending time together. He asks her to help him move his old armchair out from the house to the front yard like he and his wife used to. She tells him about the current state of her eight-year marriage. She has the opportunity to write his biography and he gives her full access to his personal archive. The Official Biography gives us a slow burn and keeps us questioning if this is real or leading somewhere dangerous.
Gary Houston and Shelby Marie Edwards
The After Party Thoughts
The story of The Official Biography is intriguing. We feel like we know what’s coming because it’s the typical two worlds colliding until they find mutual respect for each other. But it feels like as the years pass, a new twist is revealed each time about their personal lives. So no spoilers, but we’re definitely kept on our toes through to the very end. The one thing that felt a little thin was their relationship growth. We know they’re growing closer, but we don’t really feel the two of them connect on a deeper level. It feels like they’re still keeping each other at arms length, so a few emotional twists don’t hit as hard as they could.
For those that don’t like character and relationship driven plays with a slow build, then this show might not be for you. But for those that like to be slowly drawn in and keep guessing what is real and what is fiction, then The Official Biography would be a good fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
Gary Houston
When
Now through April 19, 2026
Where
The Den Theatre
1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago 60622
Runtime: 90min, no intermission
Tickets
$20+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 773-697-3830 or through The Den Theatre website
Photos
Michael Brosilow
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Gary Houston and Shelby Marie Edwards
CAST
Gary Houston (Henry Percival)
Shelby Marie Edwards (Xan Smith)
CREATIVE
Kurt McGinnis Brown (Playwright)
Richard Shavzin (Director)
Garrett Bell (Set Design)
Sam Bessler (Lighting Design)
Mary Bonnett (Costume Design)
George Zahora (Sound Design)
Wendye Clarendon (Actors Equity member, Stage Manager)
Morgan Watkinson and Josh Hogan (Assistant Stage Managers)
Steve Kruse (Technical Direc-tor)
Tristan Predmore (Lighting Technician)
Nora Brooks (Scenic Painter)
Lucas Holeman (Carpenter)
Kaitlyn Hettinger (Carpenter, Scenic Painter)