|
CRAIG HOUKPlaywright
I don't want the audience to settle in,
I want them to buckle up. |
By downloading any of the plays below, you hereby acknowledge that Craig Houk is the sole owner of all rights in and to these plays. None of these plays may be produced or reproduced in whole or in part unless permission is granted by the playwright or his designated agents. For License Application & Fees Information or to Purchase a Copy of COLD RAIN, of SYD, or of BRUTE FARCE, please visit NEXT STAGE PRESS. Licensing and royalty information for all other works are available upon request through the playwright directly.
Click on any of the images below for particulars on each play, including sample scripts, licensing & royalties information, and purchase details.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 Female, 3 Male, 1 Any Gender ● Full Length/Two Act ● ~120 Mins
|
Next Stage Press
|
Next Stage Press
|
|
Synopsis
Four vengeful, narcissistic actors, with the assistance of a brutish stage manager and a cynical stagehand, abduct and hold captive a theater critic notorious for shutting down productions and ending careers through his malicious reviews. To confound matters, they intend to carry their plan out during a performance of a show they’re all currently appearing in. Less than an hour before the curtain is due to rise, their scheme begins to quickly unravel as we discover that none of the conspirators are familiar with the actual plan or its designed outcome. Brute Farce is a satirical commentary on the perpetually symbiotic, oftentimes dysfunctional, and occasionally turbulent relationship between actors and reviewers.
Production History
BRUTE FARCE received its World Premiere Production opening on Fri, Aug 4th, 2023, and closing on Sat, Aug 19th, 2023, at the Gunston Arts Center, Theater II presented by Dominion Stage of Arlington, VA. The production was directed by Matthew Randall and featured Mario Font as Alistair McHugh, Joe Dzikiewicz as Killian Black, Shayne Gardner as Deirdre Shepherd, Karey L. Hart as Reggie Brimble, Kat Sanchez as Fiona Bainbridge, Heather Plank as Vivian Pruitt, and Richard Fiske as Quinn Ponsonby.
Development History
BRUTE FARCE received a public reading on Tue, May 2nd, 2023 at the Gunston Theatre Two in Arlington, VA. Presented by Dominion Stage, the piece was directed by Matthew Randall and featured Mario Font as Alistair McHugh, Joe Dzikiewicz as Killian Black, Heather Plank as Dierdre Shepherd, Eileen Copas as Reggie Brimble, Elizabeth Keith as Vivian Pruitt, Kat Sanchezas as Fiona Bainbridge, and Peter Halverson as Quinn Ponsonby.
BRUTE FARCE received staged readings at the Anacostia Arts Center on Oct 27th, 28th & 29th, 2022. These readings were made possible thanks to a generous grant made available by Duane Gautier and the Valley Place Arts Collaborative/ARCH, and through the kind support of Adele Robey. The cast featured Michael Replogle as Alistair McHugh, Matthew Pauli as Killian Black, Karina Hilleard as Dierdre Shepherd, Dana Scott Galloway as Reggie Brimble, Lisa M. Hodsoll as Vivian Pruitt, Claire Schoonover as Fiona Bainbridge, and Steve Lebens as Quinn Ponsonby.
Awards/Recognition
- Winner, Full-Length Play, Dominion Stage's 3rd Annual Playwriting Competition, 2023. Arlington, VA.
- Finalist, The Loom New Works Festival, Woven Theatre, 2021.
Reviews
"A future theater-laughs-at-itself classic alongside Michael Frayn’s Noises Off." - John Stoltenberg, DC Theater Arts
"Houk’s comedy is a near-perfect, laugh-out-loud farce, owing not only to the cockamamie plot but to the comic invective among the bungling actors, harried production crew, and acerbic critic." - John Stoltenberg, DC Theater Arts
"In what has to be one of the funniest props in theater lore, Reggie has rigged an elaborate electrical cueing system involving four colored light bulbs, one for each actor, and four clear light bulbs, one for each scene. The actors all being themselves dim bulbs, the device results in complete confusion." - John Stoltenberg, DC Theater Arts
3 Female, 2 Male ● Full Length/Two Act ● ~120 Mins
|
Next Stage Press
|
Next Stage Press
|
|
Synopsis
On the evening of Sunday, June 24th, 1973, thirty-two men perished in a fire at The Upstairs Lounge, a sanctuary bar for working-class homosexual men in New Orleans. On that same evening, several blocks north, nearly a dozen women, including a gifted young nursing student, Sydney (Syd) Trahan, were taken into custody and charged with lewd and lascivious conduct for dancing together at Brady’s, a notorious lesbian bar in the French Quarter. Hopeful that the deadly fire and the controversy surrounding its multiple victims might overshadow Syd’s arrest, Bud, a reputable blacksmith, and Helen, a God-fearing woman, do everything in their power to curtail the impact of their daughter’s transgression on their seemingly near perfect lives.
Development History
SYD received a public reading with LAB Theater Project as part of their Summer Concert Reading Series on Saturday, Jul 15th, 2023. The cast featured CC Ventura as Sydney Trahan, Heather Cole as Helen Trahan, Nathan Juliano as Bud Trahan, Katie Calahan as Beverly Larson, and Larry Corwin as Beau Larson.
5 Female, 4 Male ● Full Length/Two Act ● ~2.5 Hours
|
Next Stage Press
|
Next Stage Press
|
|
Synopsis
Carly Weekes and her sisters, Lolly and Shirley, are witches. Determined to find Carly a mate, the three cast a circle to summon a popular recording artist from Colorado. However, Shirley casts what appears to be a dubious and deadly spell. Worried that Carly and her new family might now be cursed, Lolly endeavors to reverse the hex, but fails, resulting in her expulsion to an alternate world. Years later, the Pacheco twins mysteriously drown. The case goes cold, but many believe Carly’s oldest son, Johnny, is responsible. Cold Rain is an account of a family bound by black magic, a dark and comical tale of ill-conceived machinations, misdirected resentment, and repressed desire.
Production History
COLD RAIN received its world premiere production as part of the 2018 DC Capital Fringe Festival (Jul 14 - 28). Winning Best Drama of the Festival (Audience Choice) and named one of DC Metro Theater Arts' 2018 'Best of Capital Fringe, Cold Rain featured Desiree Chapelle as Carly Weekes-Rekowski, Elle Emerson as Lolly Weekes, Maura Claire Harford as Shirley Weekes, Grant Collins as Bryson Rekowski, Thomas Shuman as Fisher Hickman, Will Low as Johnny Rekowski, Stephanie Jo Clark as Donna Pagnotto, Blake Gouhari as Joe Rekowski, and Lydia Kraniotis as Lydia Pacheco. The piece was directed by Craig Houk. Washington, DC
Development History
COLD RAIN received a public reading of Act 1 at Studio 1469 on May 8, 2017, featuring Laureen Smith as Carly Weekes-Rekowski, Mindy Shaw as Lolly Weekes, Sue Schaffel as Shirley Weekes, Grant Collins as Bryson Rekowski, Devin Horne as Fisher Hickman, Adrian Jesus Iglesias as Johnny Rekowski, Nerissa Hart as Donna Pagnotto, and Andrew Filicicchia as Joe Rekowski. The piece was directed by Craig Houk. Washington, DC
Awards/Recognition
Winner “Best Drama” and “Best of Festival” at Capital Fringe 2018.
Reviews
"This was art and theater imitating life in all of its strangeness and ironic sadness. " - Em Skow, DC Theater Arts
"This reverse audience omnipotence made the aha moments both more frequent and rewarding, as you often learned something new and discarded old assumptions in the very same snippet of a scene." - Em Skow, DC Theater Arts
"The dry, damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t humor paired wonderfully with the main themes of family, fate, and choice." - Em Skow, DC Theater Arts
"A thoughtful story riddled with potential, Cold Rain’s scattered timeline leaves audiences laughing but wanting more." - Alexandra Kelley, DC Theatre Scene
"As the play moves forward (and backward), it is readily apparent that the plot centers on the difficulties within relationships, both romantic and familial." - Alexandra Kelley, DC Theatre Scene
"If you choose to go and see Cold Rain, you will develop theories and burning questions about the story." - Alexandra Kelley, DC Theatre Scene
|
|
2 Male ● Full Length/One Act ● ~75 Mins
|
|
Synopsis
Lou Brunazzi & André Cooper live across the hall from each other in the basement of a shabby apartment building in the Bronx. On the landing between their units stands a noisy radiator, which is connected to a deteriorating boiler. Determined to stop the whistling, hissing & banging that’s keeping him awake at night, André endeavors to turn the radiator off, but is cut short by Lou who is determined to keep it running at all costs. What begins as a battlefield between two headstrong men slowly evolves into a makeshift sitting room where the pair begin to form a unique and lasting bond.
Development History
Radiator received a public developmental reading in Chautauqua, NY on Tue, Sep 25th, 2023 featuring Mel Johnson, Jr. as André Cooper and Mike Thornton as Lou Brunazzi. The reading was produced and presented by Mike Thornton and Stephen Stout.
Radiator received a public stage reading as part of the 2019 Kennedy Center Page-to-Stage New Play Festival on Mon, Sep 2, 2019 featuring Jared Shamberger as André Cooper and Matty Griffiths as Lou Brunazzi. The piece was directed by Carl Randolph. Washington, DC
Awards/Recognition
Radiator received an Honorable Mention as part of Dominion Stage's Fall 2020 Playwriting Competition. Arlington, VA.
5 Female, 2 Male ● Full Length/Two Act ● ~120 Mins
|
|
Synopsis
With life comes death. Pete, a working-class schmuck, and his beautician wife, Peggy Lynn, struggle to conceive. Will they risk everything to have a child?
7 Female, 5 Male (Doubling) ● Full Length/One Act ● ~90 Mins
|
|
Synopsis
Cleary’s Delicatessen has been the most popular dining destination in Clarksville, Tennessee for nearly fifty years. Nowadays the business practically runs itself. It’s best-selling item? Grandma Cleary’s potato salad. Three generations of Cleary men have reaped the rewards of its success. And now young Herb Cleary will be the next to take the reins. One minor problem, however. Herb ain’t right in the head.
7 Female, 2 Male, 1 Any Gender (Doubling Optional) ● 5 Interwoven One Acts ● ~75 - 90 Mins
|
Smith & Kraus Best 10-Minute Plays 2022
|
|
Synopsis
LOST IN PLACE is an anthology of five short intersecting plays, many of which can stand alone, but are intended to be performed as a group.
BARBARA & JODY: A few weeks into a world-wide pandemic, Barbara is called into a police station to provide a witness statement. Jody, the detective assigned to the case, has a special request.
HANK & TEDDY: Early into a world-wide pandemic, good-natured Teddy, from across the road, checks in on his surly neighbor, Hank. A delicate exchange results in a bad decision.
MARLENE & GINNY: Early into a world-wide pandemic, Marlene and her mother-in-law, Ginny, decide to get fancy and make martinis. Their fun, however, is interrupted by that damn lesbian from next door, who's hell-bent on stealing their rutabagas. Seems Dwayne, Marlene's infant child, has slept through the whole ruckus.
TRINA & ADELE: A year or so into a world-wide pandemic, Adele pays Trina a visit to follow up on a commitment she made.
RHONDA & DANIELLE: Two or more years into a world-wide pandemic, next door neighbors, Rhonda and Danielle, gossip with one another while dealing with the loss of their significant others. (Smith & Kraus’s “The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2022”)
BARBARA & JODY: A few weeks into a world-wide pandemic, Barbara is called into a police station to provide a witness statement. Jody, the detective assigned to the case, has a special request.
HANK & TEDDY: Early into a world-wide pandemic, good-natured Teddy, from across the road, checks in on his surly neighbor, Hank. A delicate exchange results in a bad decision.
MARLENE & GINNY: Early into a world-wide pandemic, Marlene and her mother-in-law, Ginny, decide to get fancy and make martinis. Their fun, however, is interrupted by that damn lesbian from next door, who's hell-bent on stealing their rutabagas. Seems Dwayne, Marlene's infant child, has slept through the whole ruckus.
TRINA & ADELE: A year or so into a world-wide pandemic, Adele pays Trina a visit to follow up on a commitment she made.
RHONDA & DANIELLE: Two or more years into a world-wide pandemic, next door neighbors, Rhonda and Danielle, gossip with one another while dealing with the loss of their significant others. (Smith & Kraus’s “The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2022”)
Production History
Lost In Place: Rhonda & Danielle received an online presentation on Fri, Jun 25th and Sat, Jun 26th 2021 as part of Rainy Day Collective's First Annual Queer Voices Festival. The presentation featured Gillian C. Kelleher as Rhonda and Kim Saunders as Danielle. The piece was directed by Craig Houk.
Lost In Place: Rhonda & Danielle received an online presentation on Tue, Jul 27th 2021 as part of Prince William Little Theatre's Original Works Festival. The presentation featured Stacy Crickmer as Rhonda and Larissa Norris as Danielle. The piece was directed by Ward Kay.
Awards/Recognition
Lost In Place Anthology awarded Honorable Mention, One-Act Play, Dominion Stage's 3rd Annual Playwriting Competition, 2023. Arlington, VA.
2 Male, 1 Female ● Full Length/One Act ● ~90 Mins
|
|
Synopsis
Three-time Oscar winner, Jack Dunn, returns to Connecticut after being gone for nearly four years in McGrath, Alaska. His closest friend, Wade Henry, also an award-winning actor, has something Jack wants. After a long evening of drinking and poker with their pals, Jack and Wade, both eager to cement their legacies, face off one last time. Or so it seems.
Development History
Cooler received a private ZOOM developmental reading on Wed, Sep 6th, 2023 featuring Dana Scott Galloway as Wade Henry and Frank Nall as Jack Dunn.
Cooler received a public developmental reading in Chautauqua, NY on Tue, Sep 25th, 2023 featuring Stephen Stout as Wade Henry and Mike Thornton as Jack Dunn. The reading was produced and presented by Mike Thornton and Stephen Stout.
1 Male, 1 Female ● One Act Playlet ● ~10 Mins
|
|
Synopsis
On the eve of his confirmation to SCOTUS, Edwin Spratt and his wife, Abigail, sit down for an intimate dinner that quickly turns contentious. Edwin has been accused of sexual assault. He can prove his innocence, but it would require revealing a secret that would anger his supporters and put his career and reputation at stake.
RADIATOR PUBLIC STAGED READING
RADIATOR will receive two public staged readings as part of Anacostia Playhouse's Art All Night series on Fri, Sep 29th at 10:30 PM and Sat, Sep 30th at 10:30 PM and will feature the following cast:
Joshua Prescott as André Cooper
|
Matty Griffiths as Lou Brunazzi
|
Synposis: Lou Brunazzi & André Cooper live across the hall from each other in the basement of a shabby apartment building in the Bronx. On the landing between their units stands a noisy radiator, which is connected to a deteriorating boiler. Determined to stop the whistling, hissing & banging that’s keeping him awake at night, André endeavors to turn the radiator off, but is cut short by Lou who is determined to keep it running at all costs. What begins as a battlefield between two headstrong men slowly evolves into a makeshift sitting room where the pair begin to form a unique and lasting bond
PLAYS IN DEVELOPMENT
The following scripts are currently in active development.
SYNOPSIS: Three-time Oscar winner, Jack Dunn, returns to Connecticut after being gone for nearly four years in McGrath, Alaska. His closest friend, Wade Henry, also an award-winning actor, has something Jack wants. After a long evening of drinking and poker with their pals, Jack and Wade, both eager to cement their legacies, face off one last time. Or so it seems.
|
SYNOPSIS: Cleary’s Delicatessen has been the most popular dining destination in Clarksville, Tennessee for nearly fifty years. Nowadays the business practically runs itself. It’s best-selling item? Grandma Cleary’s potato salad. Three generations of Cleary men have reaped the rewards of its success. And now young Herb Cleary will be the next to take the reins. One minor problem, however. Herb ain’t right in the head.
|
|
BIO
Craig Houk is an award-winning DC based Playwright and proud Dramatists Guild Member. He is also a Producer, Actor & Director. Houk’s plays include COLD RAIN (published by Next Stage Press, winner “Best Drama” and “Best of Festival” at Capital Fringe 2018), SYD (published by Next Stage Press), BRUTE FARCE (published by Next Stage Press, 2021 The Loom New Works Festival Finalist, 2022 Dominion Stage Playwrighting Competition Full Length Winner), LOST IN PLACE ANTHOLOGY (2022 Dominion Stage Playwrighting Competition One-Act Honorable Mention), RADIATOR (2020 Dominion Stage Playwrighting Competition One-Act Honorable Mention). His newest works include THE RELUCTANT HEN, HERB CLEARY MEANT NO HARM and COOLER. LOST IN PLACE: RHONDA & DANIELLE has been included in Smith & Kraus’s “The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2022”. BRUTE FARCE will have two monologues included in Smith & Kraus’s “Outstanding Women's Monologues” and “Outstanding Men’s Monologues” 2023.
Cold Rain
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
While my writing has been generously compared to Pinter, Albee & Shaffer (and those writers, among others, have certainly influenced my work) I am admittedly neither profound nor prolific. I describe my style as dynamic realism. My works are generally rooted in reality, but I’m always trying to push beyond that, to challenge it, to redefine it. I don’t want the audience to settle in, I want them to buckle up. As a general rule, I write to entertain. And in the process, I do my best to write strong characters with compelling stories to tell, characters that actors might yearn to play, and stories that audiences might yearn to see and hear.
|
Brute Farce
MESSAGE TO MY FELLOW ARTISTS
Find your safe space and tuck in tightly, because safe spaces are in very short supply these days. We live in a world where you’re no longer measured by your accomplishments or by what you’ve done to elevate your fellow creatives, but rather defined solely (and harshly) by your missteps. Challenging others is off limits. Admitting your errors, making amends, or striving to mature in an effort to stay relevant and engaged are no longer options. None of that is enough, not anymore, because any minor stumble will assuredly seal your fate. So, please take care of yourself first and foremost. Be authentic, be kind, stay as grounded as you can, and have faith that those who know and love you best will stay aligned. The rest of it doesn’t matter.
|
THEATRE
Colonel in Blue Camp, produced by Rainbow Theatre Project at the Saint Augustine's Episcopal Church, directed by Christopher Janson. Washington, DC
Richard Baxter in The Mollusc, produced by Quotidian Theatre Company at The Writer's Center, directed by Jack Sbarbori. Bethesda, MD
Man #3 (7 roles) in Jeffrey, produced by Rainbow Theatre Project at the DC Arts Center, directed by Robert Mintz. Washington, DC
Garrison in Consider the Ficus, as part of the 2018 DC Queer Theatre Festival at the DC Arts Center, directed by Carl Randolph. Washington, DC
Marvin Friedman/Frates Simpson/Priest in Duck, produced by Tom Block at The Highwood Theatre, directed by Clare Schaffer. Silver Spring, MD
Brian in The Nude, produced by FABUM as part of their A Strong Woman Play Festival, directed by Jameson Freeman. Washington, DC
Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder Goes Forth: Live!, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Twinkles in Clown Bar, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
William Hutchinson in Goodly Creatures, produced by Hub Theatre Company, directed by John Geoffrion. Boston, MA
Gavin in Party Time, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Fantasy Man (3 roles) in Wandelaria, produced by Argos Productions, directed by Brett Marks. Boston, MA
Actor 2 (2 roles) in Tiny Kushner, produced by Zeitgeist Stage Co, directed by David Miller. Boston, MA
Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder II: Live!, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Josh in My Wonderful Day, produced by Zeitgeist Stage Co, directed by David Miller. Boston, MA
Dave Moss in Glengarry Glen Ross, produced by Independent Drama Society, directed by Brett Marks. Boston, MA
One/Maitre D' in Almost an Evening, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
True/Countess in Act a Lady, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Dyson in Lady, produced by Zeitgeist Stage Co, directed by David Miller. Boston, MA
Victor in One for the Road, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Bruce in 7 Blowjobs, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Philip in Gasping, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Walker Harris in Two Rooms, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Man (6 roles) in Solitaire Six Pack, produced by Ubiquity Stage, directed by Sarah Jones. Boston, MA
Algernon in Importance of Being Earnest, produced by Penobscot Theatre Co, directed by Matthew Arbour. Bangor, ME
Thaddeus/Crumpet (u/s 6 performances) in The Santaland Diaries, produced by Firefly Productions, directed by Steven Maler. Boston, MA
Bellhop in Lend Me a Tenor, produced by The Public Theatre, directed by Janet Mitchko. Lewiston, ME
Arthur Wellesley in The Judas Kiss, produced by Lyric Stage Company, directed by Spiro Veloudos. Boston, MA
Peter in Party, produced by Dollboyz Productions, directed by Jason Southerland. Boston, MA
Man #1 (10 roles) in Jeffrey, produced by Flaming Productions, directed by Wendy Poole. Portland, ME
Louis Ironson in Angels in America Part II, produced by Mad Horse Theatre Co, directed by Andy Sokoloff. Portland, ME
Lucio in Measure for Measure, produced by Acorn Productions, directed by Michael Levine. Portland, ME
Louis Ironson in Angels in America Part I, produced by Mad Horse Theatre Co, directed by Andy Sokoloff. Portland, ME
Larry in Burn This, produced by Acorn Productions, directed by Michael Levine. Portland, ME
Michael in Forget Him, produced by Triangle Theatre. Boston, MA
Brian Meagher in The Last Shaker, produced by Triangle Theatre, directed by Joseph Cambone. Boston, MA
Darius in Jeffrey, produced by Speak Easy Stage Co, directed by Paul Daigneault. Boston, MA
Richard Baxter in The Mollusc, produced by Quotidian Theatre Company at The Writer's Center, directed by Jack Sbarbori. Bethesda, MD
Man #3 (7 roles) in Jeffrey, produced by Rainbow Theatre Project at the DC Arts Center, directed by Robert Mintz. Washington, DC
Garrison in Consider the Ficus, as part of the 2018 DC Queer Theatre Festival at the DC Arts Center, directed by Carl Randolph. Washington, DC
Marvin Friedman/Frates Simpson/Priest in Duck, produced by Tom Block at The Highwood Theatre, directed by Clare Schaffer. Silver Spring, MD
Brian in The Nude, produced by FABUM as part of their A Strong Woman Play Festival, directed by Jameson Freeman. Washington, DC
Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder Goes Forth: Live!, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Twinkles in Clown Bar, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
William Hutchinson in Goodly Creatures, produced by Hub Theatre Company, directed by John Geoffrion. Boston, MA
Gavin in Party Time, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Fantasy Man (3 roles) in Wandelaria, produced by Argos Productions, directed by Brett Marks. Boston, MA
Actor 2 (2 roles) in Tiny Kushner, produced by Zeitgeist Stage Co, directed by David Miller. Boston, MA
Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder II: Live!, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Josh in My Wonderful Day, produced by Zeitgeist Stage Co, directed by David Miller. Boston, MA
Dave Moss in Glengarry Glen Ross, produced by Independent Drama Society, directed by Brett Marks. Boston, MA
One/Maitre D' in Almost an Evening, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
True/Countess in Act a Lady, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Dyson in Lady, produced by Zeitgeist Stage Co, directed by David Miller. Boston, MA
Victor in One for the Road, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Bruce in 7 Blowjobs, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Philip in Gasping, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Walker Harris in Two Rooms, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
Man (6 roles) in Solitaire Six Pack, produced by Ubiquity Stage, directed by Sarah Jones. Boston, MA
Algernon in Importance of Being Earnest, produced by Penobscot Theatre Co, directed by Matthew Arbour. Bangor, ME
Thaddeus/Crumpet (u/s 6 performances) in The Santaland Diaries, produced by Firefly Productions, directed by Steven Maler. Boston, MA
Bellhop in Lend Me a Tenor, produced by The Public Theatre, directed by Janet Mitchko. Lewiston, ME
Arthur Wellesley in The Judas Kiss, produced by Lyric Stage Company, directed by Spiro Veloudos. Boston, MA
Peter in Party, produced by Dollboyz Productions, directed by Jason Southerland. Boston, MA
Man #1 (10 roles) in Jeffrey, produced by Flaming Productions, directed by Wendy Poole. Portland, ME
Louis Ironson in Angels in America Part II, produced by Mad Horse Theatre Co, directed by Andy Sokoloff. Portland, ME
Lucio in Measure for Measure, produced by Acorn Productions, directed by Michael Levine. Portland, ME
Louis Ironson in Angels in America Part I, produced by Mad Horse Theatre Co, directed by Andy Sokoloff. Portland, ME
Larry in Burn This, produced by Acorn Productions, directed by Michael Levine. Portland, ME
Michael in Forget Him, produced by Triangle Theatre. Boston, MA
Brian Meagher in The Last Shaker, produced by Triangle Theatre, directed by Joseph Cambone. Boston, MA
Darius in Jeffrey, produced by Speak Easy Stage Co, directed by Paul Daigneault. Boston, MA
FILM
Rowan (Featured Actor) in Ascendants: Raven, produced by Charles River Media Group, directed by Don Schechter. Boston, MA
Resistance Member (Extra) in Ascendants, produced by Charles River Media Group, directed by Don Schechter. Boston, MA
Brian (Supporting Actor) in Here is Gone, produced by Painted Sky Productions , directed by Jacquelyn Carr. Boston, MA
Moe (Principal Actor) in Sucker, produced by Magic Club Productions , directed by Peter Pizzi. Boston, MA
Resistance Member (Extra) in Ascendants, produced by Charles River Media Group, directed by Don Schechter. Boston, MA
Brian (Supporting Actor) in Here is Gone, produced by Painted Sky Productions , directed by Jacquelyn Carr. Boston, MA
Moe (Principal Actor) in Sucker, produced by Magic Club Productions , directed by Peter Pizzi. Boston, MA
RECOGNITION
IRNE Best Actor Nominee: Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder Goes Forth: Live!, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
IRNE Best Actor Nominee: Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder II: Live!, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
IRNE Best Supporting Actor Nominee: Victor in One for the Road, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
IRNE Best Actor Nominee: Philip in Gasping, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
IRNE Best Actor Nominee: Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder II: Live!, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
IRNE Best Supporting Actor Nominee: Victor in One for the Road, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
IRNE Best Actor Nominee: Philip in Gasping, produced by Theatre on Fire, directed by Darren Evans. Boston, MA
PRESS
"A scarily brash Craig Houk.” – John Stoltenberg, DC Metro Theater Arts (Blue Camp)
"[Craig] Houk is hilarious as the photos send Bruce into a trancelike state... " - Boston Globe (7 Blowjobs)
“Emily Levey and Craig Houk find moments to shine in multiple supporting roles.” – André Hereford, Metro Weekly (Jeffrey)
"I found Houk as the cowed pushover of a husband the most fun to watch—his every wince and trepidation was well played." – Roy Maurer, DC Theatre Scene (The Mollusc)
“Enter “The Colonel” (Craig Houk), the very embodiment of a realpolitik Cold Warrior who knows cannon fodder when he sees it.” – William G. Schulz, TheInTowner (Blue Camp)
“Houk is a comedic standout as a handsy Catholic priest whose idea of heaven is gay sex and a good show tune.” – Patrick Folliard, Washington Blade (Jeffrey)
"Craig Houk gives a delightful portrayal of a man deeply in love with his strong willed wife." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Goodly Creatures)
"This is an excellent cast who play their roles with subtlety and grace." "A gentle and lonely Craig Houk." – Mary Ann Johnson, MD Theatre Guide (The Mollusc)
"Houk’s Garrison is compelling as he struggles to find meaning in both his personal and professional life." - Julie Janson, DC Metro Theater Arts (Consider the Ficus)
"The intense Craig Houk as Nixon’s shrink is fun to watch agonizing over weekly sessions he had with the president in an analysis session with angel Metatron." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Tiny Kushner)
"Craig Houk as Anne’s husband provides a welcome playfulness to the somber proceedings, acknowledging that he “never wins in an argument” with his wife." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Goodly Creatures)
"[Craig] Houk is very funny as Hendryk, a pistol of a personality, pursuing outsized romantic thoughts, and dreams birthed by sexual ambivalence." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Tiny Kushner)
"Craig Houk is simply beyond reproach as Blackadder. Once you’ve seen him, you will forget Rowan Atkinson entirely." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Blackadder Goes Forth: Live!)
"Best of all is Craig Houk’s heart-wrenching rage as Dyson, particularly as his fear mounts for his son’s future." - Jules Becker, My South End (Lady)
"This play featured Frank Britton as Nate and Craig Houk as Garrison, who gave some of the strongest performances of the evening." - Julie Janson, DC Metro Theater Arts (Consider the Ficus)
“Members of the ensemble portray several differing, rotating roles with ease; sparkling brio and zest infuse every scene. Members of the ensemble who provide the very human backdrop of this play are Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp. All are superior.” – David Friscic, DC Metro Theater Arts (Jeffrey)
“Ensemble members Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp did a fantastic job with multiple roles each and hit just the right notes to capture each of their characters’ quirks in many varied scenes.” – Liz Ruth-Brinegar, MD Theatre Guide (Jeffrey)
"The interactions between Graham’s surly Sergeant and Bossenbroek’s sassy, Southern Billy are particularly charming, as is Houk’s outsized performance as the Colonel, a stand-in for all the toxic masculinity and ruthlessness associated with the American military.” – William G. Schulz, DC Theatre Scene (Blue Camp)
"Two vignettes stem from Kushner’s fascination with psychoanalysis (with an emphasis on the psycho). In one a patient who has just been terminated (the wonderful Craig Houk) begs his doctor to take him back." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Tiny Kushner)
"[Craig] Houk’s portrayal of Blackadder oozes with just the right blend of oily pseudo-suavity, gimlet-eyed ambition, and sputtering exasperation at the dolts who surround him and the predicaments that engulf him." - Don Aucoin, Boston Globe (Blackadder II: Live!)
“The ensemble cast - Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp - is brilliantly versatile and hilariously funny. They bring a much-needed levity to the show, making it genuinely humorous, but also providing a good counter for the more serious, aching moments.” – Rachael Goldberg, Broadway World DC (Jeffrey)
"Blackadder II stars Craig Houk, one of Boston’s best comic actors, of late having slain Zeitgeist audiences with his furious napping. He takes over Rowan Atkinson’s reins, galloping full tilt into the dubious fray." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Blackadder II: Live!)
"Craig Houk stars as the pompous and ridiculous Edmund Blackadder, who seems very comfortable in the role itself, and manages to capture the arrogance and charm of the character incredibly well. His charisma is one thing to lock on to and he has it in spades." - Christian Hegg, Muffin Eats Dragon (Blackadder II: Live!)
Zeitgeist veterans Becca Lewis and Craig Houk are masters of farce. Houk can, as they say, read the phonebook and get laughs but his fitful nap and fabulous snoring in WONDERFUL DAY are reason alone to see the play. - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (My Wonderful Day)
"The laughs build to the required farcical frenzy with the appropriate array of entrances and exits, as well as some delicious physical comedy from [Craig] Houk (think John Cleese at his bumbling best)..." - Terry Byrne, Boston Globe (My Wonderful Day)
"Craig Houk is aptly ridiculous as the clueless Josh, who's capable of falling dead asleep, face buried in a sandwich, when read to from The Secret Garden." - Carolyn Clay, Boston Phoenix (My Wonderful Day)
"Craig Houk as the other younger salesman, the mean to the bone Dave Moss, fairly ripples with a merciless ruthlessness." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Glengarry Glen Ross)
"Craig Houk brings a frenetic intensity to the scheming Moss. His “hypothetical” scene with the hapless Aaronow gets lots of laughs." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Glengarry Glen Ross)
"Craig Houk is utterly convincing as the journalist who gets his story but truly regrets the manipulation." - Beverly Creasey, Theatre Mirror (Two Rooms)
"Dyson is quivering with fury. Houk plays him with vein-popping intensity from start to finish." - Don Aucoin, Boston Globe (Lady)
"Particularly notable is Craig Houk as the senator's aide, driven nearly mad with lust by the offending photos. Houk cuts loose in a hilarious burst of unfocused lust that has him licking the furniture and literally putting ants in his pants." - Brian Jewell, Bay Windows (7 Blowjobs)
"Craig Houk paints a powerful portrait of sheer terror, as the object of Gill’s ruthless machinations. Without even speaking, he conveys the extent of the horror we never see---and can only imagine." - Beverly Creasey, Theatre Mirror (One For The Road)
"Houk gives the role of Moss a brash townie confidence… He speaks with confidence about subjects he couldn’t possibly know… and his arrogance makes us believe him." - John Perich, Periscope Death (Glengarry Glen Ross)
"Craig Houk in particular is a standout as gung-ho senior exec Philip...a physical dynamo from word one: he caps a profit report with a full-body spasm like a pitcher's windup." - Sandy MacDonald, Boston Globe (Gasping)
"Houk shows that he has the range and the wit to hold together a diverse gallery of types who, in the end, benefit from his drive and inventiveness." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
"Craig Houk tries to understand, to see under the skin, and to demand help in reaching for resolution. He has anthracite eyes and a hungry face." - Larry, Stark, Theatre Mirror (Two Rooms)
"Houk gets his hooks in early, and keeps you there for more than 90-minutes. Quite a feat for any young actor." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
"Houk's over-the-top portrayal as the bellhop is genuinely funny." - Dan Marois, Sun Journal (Lend Me a Tenor)
"A characterization that suggests Charles Busch at his best." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
“The rest of the cast is rounded out by a talented ensemble consisting of Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp, who expertly transform themselves into a variety of comedic characters.” – John Bavoso, DC Theatre Scene (Jeffrey)
"Houk manages a deft spin of comedy and pathos throughout, moving from the sharply satiric to the sweetly sentimental." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
"Craig Houk is quick out of the starting gate as Algernon. With facial expressions and body English galore, Houk blooms with Algernon’s pursuit of amusement and determination to take over the Ernest persona in order to woo the fair Cecily." - Roxanne Moore Saucier, Bangor Daily News (The Importance of Being Earnest)
"Aside from one woman, his characters are all gay men, but any stereotypes drop away quickly as his hour and twenty minute gallery presents more and more compelling portraits of unique individuals. Tears replace laughter as the evening progresses... excellent gallery of engrossingly interesting portraits." - Larry Stark, Theatre Mirror (Desperately Aloof)
"Craig Houk, channeling John Cleese, gets a hilarious massage (from an unseen masseur) which hurls him head over heels on top of a tiny collapsible table. They should sign him up posthaste for the next Olympic gymnastic team! Then, if that weren’t enough, he out Chaplins the master on imaginary ice, not to mention dropping trou in classic slapstick form." - Beverly Creasey, Theatre Mirror (Gasping)
"[Craig] Houk as True (and, in the play-within-the play, as the Countess) shows incredible range. He delivers his Countess like a snippy, vengeful Dame Edna in a corset that has been laced too tightly. But he is also completely convincing as the womanizing, moonshine-sipping True." - Christopher Muther, Boston Globe (Act A Lady)
“Craig Houk's Richard is a perfect blend of the character's defining traits: he's affable, a bit of a pushover (though not as much as one assumes on sight), and genuinely trying to do right by his family. Houk also provides the audience with some lighthearted humor - his small facial expressions and reactions are delightful, and give you a sense that the character is more formidable than the others assume.” – Rachael Goldberg, Broadway World (The Mollusc)
"[Craig] Houk is hilarious as the photos send Bruce into a trancelike state... " - Boston Globe (7 Blowjobs)
“Emily Levey and Craig Houk find moments to shine in multiple supporting roles.” – André Hereford, Metro Weekly (Jeffrey)
"I found Houk as the cowed pushover of a husband the most fun to watch—his every wince and trepidation was well played." – Roy Maurer, DC Theatre Scene (The Mollusc)
“Enter “The Colonel” (Craig Houk), the very embodiment of a realpolitik Cold Warrior who knows cannon fodder when he sees it.” – William G. Schulz, TheInTowner (Blue Camp)
“Houk is a comedic standout as a handsy Catholic priest whose idea of heaven is gay sex and a good show tune.” – Patrick Folliard, Washington Blade (Jeffrey)
"Craig Houk gives a delightful portrayal of a man deeply in love with his strong willed wife." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Goodly Creatures)
"This is an excellent cast who play their roles with subtlety and grace." "A gentle and lonely Craig Houk." – Mary Ann Johnson, MD Theatre Guide (The Mollusc)
"Houk’s Garrison is compelling as he struggles to find meaning in both his personal and professional life." - Julie Janson, DC Metro Theater Arts (Consider the Ficus)
"The intense Craig Houk as Nixon’s shrink is fun to watch agonizing over weekly sessions he had with the president in an analysis session with angel Metatron." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Tiny Kushner)
"Craig Houk as Anne’s husband provides a welcome playfulness to the somber proceedings, acknowledging that he “never wins in an argument” with his wife." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Goodly Creatures)
"[Craig] Houk is very funny as Hendryk, a pistol of a personality, pursuing outsized romantic thoughts, and dreams birthed by sexual ambivalence." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Tiny Kushner)
"Craig Houk is simply beyond reproach as Blackadder. Once you’ve seen him, you will forget Rowan Atkinson entirely." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Blackadder Goes Forth: Live!)
"Best of all is Craig Houk’s heart-wrenching rage as Dyson, particularly as his fear mounts for his son’s future." - Jules Becker, My South End (Lady)
"This play featured Frank Britton as Nate and Craig Houk as Garrison, who gave some of the strongest performances of the evening." - Julie Janson, DC Metro Theater Arts (Consider the Ficus)
“Members of the ensemble portray several differing, rotating roles with ease; sparkling brio and zest infuse every scene. Members of the ensemble who provide the very human backdrop of this play are Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp. All are superior.” – David Friscic, DC Metro Theater Arts (Jeffrey)
“Ensemble members Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp did a fantastic job with multiple roles each and hit just the right notes to capture each of their characters’ quirks in many varied scenes.” – Liz Ruth-Brinegar, MD Theatre Guide (Jeffrey)
"The interactions between Graham’s surly Sergeant and Bossenbroek’s sassy, Southern Billy are particularly charming, as is Houk’s outsized performance as the Colonel, a stand-in for all the toxic masculinity and ruthlessness associated with the American military.” – William G. Schulz, DC Theatre Scene (Blue Camp)
"Two vignettes stem from Kushner’s fascination with psychoanalysis (with an emphasis on the psycho). In one a patient who has just been terminated (the wonderful Craig Houk) begs his doctor to take him back." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Tiny Kushner)
"[Craig] Houk’s portrayal of Blackadder oozes with just the right blend of oily pseudo-suavity, gimlet-eyed ambition, and sputtering exasperation at the dolts who surround him and the predicaments that engulf him." - Don Aucoin, Boston Globe (Blackadder II: Live!)
“The ensemble cast - Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp - is brilliantly versatile and hilariously funny. They bring a much-needed levity to the show, making it genuinely humorous, but also providing a good counter for the more serious, aching moments.” – Rachael Goldberg, Broadway World DC (Jeffrey)
"Blackadder II stars Craig Houk, one of Boston’s best comic actors, of late having slain Zeitgeist audiences with his furious napping. He takes over Rowan Atkinson’s reins, galloping full tilt into the dubious fray." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Blackadder II: Live!)
"Craig Houk stars as the pompous and ridiculous Edmund Blackadder, who seems very comfortable in the role itself, and manages to capture the arrogance and charm of the character incredibly well. His charisma is one thing to lock on to and he has it in spades." - Christian Hegg, Muffin Eats Dragon (Blackadder II: Live!)
Zeitgeist veterans Becca Lewis and Craig Houk are masters of farce. Houk can, as they say, read the phonebook and get laughs but his fitful nap and fabulous snoring in WONDERFUL DAY are reason alone to see the play. - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (My Wonderful Day)
"The laughs build to the required farcical frenzy with the appropriate array of entrances and exits, as well as some delicious physical comedy from [Craig] Houk (think John Cleese at his bumbling best)..." - Terry Byrne, Boston Globe (My Wonderful Day)
"Craig Houk is aptly ridiculous as the clueless Josh, who's capable of falling dead asleep, face buried in a sandwich, when read to from The Secret Garden." - Carolyn Clay, Boston Phoenix (My Wonderful Day)
"Craig Houk as the other younger salesman, the mean to the bone Dave Moss, fairly ripples with a merciless ruthlessness." - Kay Bourne, Edge Boston (Glengarry Glen Ross)
"Craig Houk brings a frenetic intensity to the scheming Moss. His “hypothetical” scene with the hapless Aaronow gets lots of laughs." - Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review (Glengarry Glen Ross)
"Craig Houk is utterly convincing as the journalist who gets his story but truly regrets the manipulation." - Beverly Creasey, Theatre Mirror (Two Rooms)
"Dyson is quivering with fury. Houk plays him with vein-popping intensity from start to finish." - Don Aucoin, Boston Globe (Lady)
"Particularly notable is Craig Houk as the senator's aide, driven nearly mad with lust by the offending photos. Houk cuts loose in a hilarious burst of unfocused lust that has him licking the furniture and literally putting ants in his pants." - Brian Jewell, Bay Windows (7 Blowjobs)
"Craig Houk paints a powerful portrait of sheer terror, as the object of Gill’s ruthless machinations. Without even speaking, he conveys the extent of the horror we never see---and can only imagine." - Beverly Creasey, Theatre Mirror (One For The Road)
"Houk gives the role of Moss a brash townie confidence… He speaks with confidence about subjects he couldn’t possibly know… and his arrogance makes us believe him." - John Perich, Periscope Death (Glengarry Glen Ross)
"Craig Houk in particular is a standout as gung-ho senior exec Philip...a physical dynamo from word one: he caps a profit report with a full-body spasm like a pitcher's windup." - Sandy MacDonald, Boston Globe (Gasping)
"Houk shows that he has the range and the wit to hold together a diverse gallery of types who, in the end, benefit from his drive and inventiveness." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
"Craig Houk tries to understand, to see under the skin, and to demand help in reaching for resolution. He has anthracite eyes and a hungry face." - Larry, Stark, Theatre Mirror (Two Rooms)
"Houk gets his hooks in early, and keeps you there for more than 90-minutes. Quite a feat for any young actor." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
"Houk's over-the-top portrayal as the bellhop is genuinely funny." - Dan Marois, Sun Journal (Lend Me a Tenor)
"A characterization that suggests Charles Busch at his best." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
“The rest of the cast is rounded out by a talented ensemble consisting of Craig Houk, Emily Levey, Joshua Street, and Rick Westerkamp, who expertly transform themselves into a variety of comedic characters.” – John Bavoso, DC Theatre Scene (Jeffrey)
"Houk manages a deft spin of comedy and pathos throughout, moving from the sharply satiric to the sweetly sentimental." - Robert Nesti, Bay Windows (Desperately Aloof)
"Craig Houk is quick out of the starting gate as Algernon. With facial expressions and body English galore, Houk blooms with Algernon’s pursuit of amusement and determination to take over the Ernest persona in order to woo the fair Cecily." - Roxanne Moore Saucier, Bangor Daily News (The Importance of Being Earnest)
"Aside from one woman, his characters are all gay men, but any stereotypes drop away quickly as his hour and twenty minute gallery presents more and more compelling portraits of unique individuals. Tears replace laughter as the evening progresses... excellent gallery of engrossingly interesting portraits." - Larry Stark, Theatre Mirror (Desperately Aloof)
"Craig Houk, channeling John Cleese, gets a hilarious massage (from an unseen masseur) which hurls him head over heels on top of a tiny collapsible table. They should sign him up posthaste for the next Olympic gymnastic team! Then, if that weren’t enough, he out Chaplins the master on imaginary ice, not to mention dropping trou in classic slapstick form." - Beverly Creasey, Theatre Mirror (Gasping)
"[Craig] Houk as True (and, in the play-within-the play, as the Countess) shows incredible range. He delivers his Countess like a snippy, vengeful Dame Edna in a corset that has been laced too tightly. But he is also completely convincing as the womanizing, moonshine-sipping True." - Christopher Muther, Boston Globe (Act A Lady)
“Craig Houk's Richard is a perfect blend of the character's defining traits: he's affable, a bit of a pushover (though not as much as one assumes on sight), and genuinely trying to do right by his family. Houk also provides the audience with some lighthearted humor - his small facial expressions and reactions are delightful, and give you a sense that the character is more formidable than the others assume.” – Rachael Goldberg, Broadway World (The Mollusc)
COLD RAIN
BRUTE FARCE
|
|
|
|
