Invictus Theatre: The House That Will Not Stand
Kaylah Marie Crosby (Agnès), Sierra Coachman (Maude Lynn), Aysia Slade (Odette), Britt Edwards (Beartrice)
Invictus Theatre Presents THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND Review - Mother Knows Best
TLDR: On the eve of a legal change and the night after her second husband’s death, Beatrice Albans and her household try to keep their house from metaphorically falling down during this time of change. The House That Will Not Stand tells these women’s stories during a very specific time period and through powerful and striking performances.
Aysia Slade (Odette), Sierra Coachman (Maude Lynn)
A Day as Hot as Hades and Slow as Molasses
The atmosphere inside the Windy City Playhouse is hot and humid as a summer's day in New Orleans. But not as hot as the tea that’s about to be poured, literally and figuratively. As best frenemy to the Albans household, La Veuve (Sandra Adjoumani), enters the grieving household she goes through her crocodile tears charade but quickly whips out her fan as she sits in the parlor and is poured a cup of tea. But as for spilling the tea, Makeda, played by Shenise Brown, is whipsmart and always knows the value of her intel. After La Veuve has paid her gossip fee, we get the set-up of our action. A pillar of New Orleans society, Lazare (Ron Quade) has passed away leaving his mistress and three daughters’ futures in the hands of his will and the legal system.
Though this is the household of the wealthiest woman in New Orleans, the house already feels like it’s started to crumble. Separated into three sections, designed by Kevin Rolfs, we see the top of the stage bathed in blue light, crumbling walls overgrown with vines, with a lone figure sitting off in the corner. Off to the right hand side becomes the second story bedroom where the daughters usually spend most of their time with heavy wood furniture and well kept white linens. And finally downstairs we enter the main area of the house with tall pillars and archways framing the grand living room. But a body occupies the central dining room table as the family mourns for the loss of Lazare and his presence still looms over them.
Sandra Adjoumani (La Veuve), Shenise Brown (Makeda)
On The Cusp of Change at Invictus
The House That Will Not Stand captures the particular circumstances for women of color during this very specific time period of the 19th century. It was a fraction of a time period and yet a very significant one where free women of color had a greater “opportunity” than others with the same complexion. During French and Spanish colonialism in New Orleans, the "plaçage" system was a recognized contract between a (usually married) white man and a free Black woman or a “placée,” a contractually recognized black mistress. Though these women were more advantageous than others, those opportunities and privileges still came at the cost of their freedom.
The House That Will Not Stand seamlessly weaves together the different life circumstances of Black women during that time and we get to see all of them played out at once. We see the social class system of free women of color running her own household and is the richest woman in New Orleans, but is still uncertain of what will happen after her protector is dead. We see her daughters as the next generation of women having been brought up in this system, yet uncertain if it is staying. And we see a Black woman who is also still a slave in the household who can see her life’s freedom just beyond her grasp.
Kaylah Marie Crosby (Agnès), Aysia Slade (Odette), Sierra Coachman (Maude Lynn)
If You Shake Hands With the Devil, You Better Count Your Fingers Afterwards
Britt Edwards is a strong, god fearing, and fear inspiring woman as the matriarch of the household, Beatrice Albans. She commands the household with a sharp tongue that can silence any disagreements in a matter of seconds. Even though she has one limp foot and uses a cane as she walks, that cane becomes inseparable from her. It punctuates her statements and we start to feel fearful that she might set her fiery gaze onto us as she forcefully taps the cane on the ground as she turns and walks across the stage.
Though most of the time we see Edwards’ strict nature, slowly she reveals her motivations for wanting to exert control over every situation. We understand her feelings about her place as a placée and her striving to hold on to what she has left in these changing times. She wants to secure hers and her daughters futures and to do that she feels she must hold tight to the reins.
We feel the tension building as her daughters, played by Kaylah Marie Crosby, Sierra Coachman, and Aysia Slade, try to sneak out to secure their own futures at the ball. There’s a bit of witchcraft as Beatrice’s sister, Marie (Jimiece Gilbert) claims Lazare’s spirit is still haunting them and the house. And there’s plenty of laughs drawn from us audience members as Brown finds ways to spin situations to Makeda’s liking as the central hub for the household and works her magic to keep things running.
Shenise Brown (Makeda), Aysia Slade (Odette)
The After Party Thoughts
Another incredible play coming from Invictus this season with historical significance after their extended run of Angels in America earlier this year. Here The House That Will Not Stand shows us another time period in history most likely glossed over in history classes. It stands out not only for the subject matter, but also the performances from the actors as well. Each has drawn out their distinct characters to create this dynamic Albans household that has us leaning forward in our seats wondering if their house will survive or come crashing down.
For those that like dramatic history plays about societal change, personal identities, with a little splash of mysticism, The House That Will Not Stand would be a great fit for you!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Britt Edwards (Beartrice), Sandra Adjoumani (La Veuve)
When
Now through December 14, 2025
Where
Windy City Playhouse
3014 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60618
Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including an intermission
Tickets
$25+
Tickets can be purchased through the Invictus Theatre website
Photos
Aaron Reese Boseman Photography
Kaylah Marie Crosby (Agnès), Sierra Coachman (Maude Lynn), Aysia Slade (Odette), Britt Edwards (Beartrice), Sandra Adjoumani (La Veuve)
CAST
Britt Edwards (Beartrice Albans)
Kaylah Marie Crosby (Agnès Albans)
Sierra Coachman (Maude Lynn Albans)
Aysia Slade (Odette Albans)
Shenise Brown (Makeda)
Sandra Adjoumani (La Veuve)
Jimiece Gilbert (Marie Josephine)
Ron Quade (Lazare)
Bryan Nicholas Carter (The Man with the Bamboula)
Quenna Lené (u/s Beartrice Albans, u/s Marie Josephine)
Sarah Driessen (u/s Agnès Albans, u/s Maude Lynn Albans)
Karli Scott (u/s Odette Albans)
LaTorious R. Givens (u/s Makeda, u/s La Veuve)
Ronald McDowell (u/s The Man with the Bamboula)
Charles Askenaizer (u/s Lazare)
Jimiece Gilbert (Marie Josephine), Shenise Brown (Makeda)
CREATIVE
Aaron Reese Boseman (Director)
Kevin Rolfs (Scenic Designer)
Petter Wahlbäck (Sound Designer)
Christie Chiles Twillie (Composer)
Terrie Devine (Costume Designer)
Anika Splettstoeszer (Wardrobe Supervisor)
Levi J. Wilkins (Lighting Designer)
Mark Brown (Production Electrician)
Mariah Bennett (Properties Designer)
Rueben Echoles (Wig, Hair, and Makeup Designer)
Jessica Moore (Wig, Hair, and Makeup Assistant)
Greg Geffrard (Violence and Intimacy)
Susan Gosdick (Dialect Coach)
Cliford St. Laurent (Dialect Consultant)
Isis Elizabeth (Assistant Director and Movement)
Anthony Doyle (Stage Manager)
Laura Courtney (Assistant Stage Manager)
Tom McNelis (Technical Director)
Becca Holloway (Casting Director)