Theatre Above the Law: Grimm
Mery Drilling-Coren
Theatre Above the Law Presents GRIMM Review - Fairytales With A Double Twist
TLDR: Set in a bar between fiction and reality, fairy tale creatures have a drink until they’re interrupted by one of the Grimm brothers in search of revenge. Taking us through the twists and turns of some of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, we get to the meaning of the stories that not everything is as clear cut as good and evil.
Maddy Shilts
Where Do Fairy Tale Characters Go After Their Day Jobs?
Long before the Disney renaissance became the go to for fairy tale endings, there was another household name writing these tales with very different endings. The Grimm Brothers, Jakob and Wilhelm, the original authors of fairytales wrote theirs as cautionary tales, most having more dire consequences than the Disney versions.
The Theatre Above the Law space has been transformed into a bar that looks like it’s frequented by regulars for their production of Grimm. Beer kegs sit off to the side underneath a sign reading the bar hours, “Sunrise to Sunset.” A large jug sits on the bar proclaiming its contents are Snow White’s sangria and offered to guests. Bottles painted with fairy tale scenes are brought down from a shelf if other patrons require something stronger. Oh, and one seat has dried blood all over it.
As the cast of characters assembles, it almost feels like they are all regulars here, each with their own space at the bar. Little Red (short for Little Red Riding Hood and played by Aditi Gadhvi) is pouring the drinks alongside the Big Bad Wolf (Maddy Shilts). The Little Mermaid’s face sparkles like fish scales dressed in all blue with side fins attached to her legs. The others take their swigs of whiskey and all seems quite normal here at this bar caught between a fairy tale and real life.
Tara Shilkret
Adding More Twists
Suddenly, Jakob Grimm (Nick Barnes) bursts through the door in search of his brother and nothing can distract him from his quest. However, these characters know something we don’t. In order to find what Jakob is searching for, we have to play out each of the Grimm’s stories, either to their happy endings or the not so happy ones. Donning different articles of clothing and accessories, the cast take us through well-known tales and some lesser known ones as well.
As Hansel and Gretel (Sophie Berger and Mery Drilling-Coren) get lost in the forest, Reilly Lucas plays Dungeon Master and rolls for each action they hope to take. Eventually they are able to roll their way into tricking the witch into the oven and they all live happily ever after.
The beer kegs become the steps climbing up Rapunzel’s tower as she lets down her hair. But as we remember these are Grimm’s fairy tales, the prince played by Tara Shilkret, in dark, still flashes, finds herself tumbling back down them.
The Pied Piper, also played by Shilkret, tries multitudes of different musical methods to drive the rats out of town, much to the mayor’s dismay as nothing seems to be working.
And when Jakob finally has his chance at the Big Bad Wolf, things suddenly become clear why we needed to understand the deeper meaning behind all these stories.
Tara Shilkret and Reilly Lucas
The After Party Thoughts
Grimm is a short and sweet 90min show that adds a little bit more to your favorite fairy tales. If you like the original Grimm’s Fairy Tales that don’t leave out the grim (pun fully intended) endings, then this show is going to be a good fit for you. It fits the Halloween vibe as there’s evil witches and big bad wolves, but is definitely family friendly as it doesn’t involve body horror or blood.
RECOMMENDED
Reilly Lucas
When
Now through November 2, 2025
Where
Theatre Above the Law
1439 W Jarvis Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
Runtime: 90min, no intermission
Tickets
$20+
Tickets can be purchased through the Theatre Above the Law website
Photos
Mia Thompson
CAST
Maddy Shilts (Wolf)
Aditi Gadhvi (Little Red)
Nick Barnes (Jakob)
Tara Shilkret (Ensemble)
Reilly Lucas (Ensemble)
Mery Drilling-Coren (Ensemble)
Sophie Berger (Ensemble)
Phillip Heflin (u/s Jakob and Wolf)
Sami Dennis (u/s Little Red)
Riley Doerner (Swing)
CREATIVE
Tony Lawry (Director)
Reagan Stevenson (Stage Manager)
Lou Stockmeyer (Sound Design)
Stina Taylor (Set Design)
Mikee Parangalan (Lighting Design)
Liv McDaniel (Fight Choreography)