Wild Door Theater: Smokefall

Lucky Star and Richard Schumacher

Wild Door Theater Presents SMOKEFALL Review - Can You Repair a Family Tree?

TLDR: A philosophical play that dives into family dynamics, history, and futures, Smokefall takes a deeper look at one family’s situation from ailing parents to unborn twins. We see how one decision can impact the family tree for years to come.

Isabella Isherwood

Diving Deeper Into a Family at Wild Door

On one side of the stage is a kitchen made of a light wood and a modest kitchen table. Opposite is a front door adorned with a homey wreath and two sitting chairs. All around the ceiling are window frames draped with leaves and branches like we’re peering up into a tree. The cast enters and exits down a long plankway made of the same unfinished wood. It extends to the center of the stage and opens up into an octagon with a hole cut in the center of it. 

We’re introduced to the family one by one as they enter by a narrator who tells us the family history as if he’s reading from a book, footnotes included. A married husband and wife, Daniel and Violet (Andrew Gallant and Vilmarie Rosario), who are pregnant (with twins!) have moved home to take care of her father along with their teenage daughter Beauty (Isabella Isherwood). It’s a non-traditional arrangement, but not uncommon as parents grow older and need more help. 

We find out we’re in Michigan and the move home has not been without emotional struggles. Caring for their father with a failing memory is more often than not the same routine everyday. Having a peculiar teenage daughter who doesn’t speak and subsists on dirt and paint is not the worst thing in the world, but leaves a lot to worry about. And twins on the way when you thought you were out of the baby phase of late nights and endless diapers also takes a mental toll. All of this piles up for Daniel and we see the igniting action here that sets off a cycle of events that affects generations to come.

Lucky Star and Andrew Gallant

Taking Care of the Family Tree

In between scenes, Violet reaches down into the middle of the stage and a symbolic tree trunk is hoisted into the air to connect it to the top branches and becomes our central focal point (set design by Spencer Donovan). As we get to know this multi-generational family, we understand why the imagery of trees is central to the show - taking care of them, letting them flourish, cutting what doesn’t work, understanding the roots that run deep.

We see the family from the outside perspective and so as the tree trunk is raised, a heartbeat gets louder, two figures dressed in red appear attached to the tree trunk, and suddenly we’re in the womb with the unborn twins! We get their insider's perspective as they tell us what they hear around them. Then we’re catapulted 70 years into the future where we see how Daniel’s decision impacts one of those twins, and in turn that twin’s son as well. 

We get all these different views and see the impacts. The cast takes their time with the pacing of the show. They’re slow and purposeful as they deliver their lines and let the weight of the words sink into the audience. 

Andrew Gallant, Isabella Isherwood, and Vilmarie Rosario

The After Party Thoughts

The overall story and premise of Smokefall is interesting. It plays with the theme of generational trauma and familial patterns and cycles. There’s a touch of surrealism and suspending reality as we get perspectives from characters like the unborn twins and an aunt who is close to one hundred years old. 

One thing that I noticed about the performance was the line delivery seemed off from some of the actors. There were no flubs or hiccups or anything like that, more so it felt like the delivery was stiff rather than feeling like a natural response, which took us out of the story. That aside, I applaud the Wild Door Theater for their inaugural show. After seeing so many small theater companies close, I’m so thrilled to see new ones popping up again.

For those that don’t necessarily like shows about family drama or history, this show might not be the best fit for you. If you’re in the mood for an even-kelled and thoughtful production that explores themes of repeating mistakes and families, Smokefall would be a good fit for you.

RECOMMENDED

Richard Schumacher and Isabella Isherwood

When

Now through December 21, 2025

Where

Theater Wit

1229 W Belmont Ave.

Chicago, IL 60657

Runtime: 2hrs 15min, including an intermission

Tickets

$25+

Tickets can be purchased through the Wild Door Theater website

Photos

Joe Mazza

Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago

Vilmarie Rosario

CAST

Isabella Isherwood (Ensemble)

Lucky Star (Ensemble)

Vilmarie Rosario (Ensemble)

Richard Schumacher (Ensemble)

Andrew Gallant (Ensemble)

Lauren Secrest (Understudy)

Katie Hope Noble (Understudy)

Noah Moulton (Understudy)

CREATIVE

Andrew Gallant (Director)

Lauren Secrest (Assistant Director/Assistant Stage Manager)

Joshua Bennett (Stage Manager)

Spencer Donovan (Scenic Designer)

Saawan Tiwari (Costume Designer)

Andy Cahoon (Technical Director)

Kate Schnetzer (Sound Designer)

Josiah Croegaert (Lighting Designer)

Adanna Eziri (Props Designer)