White Rooster rules the roost at Lookingglass

The new play White Rooster is perched high for success and expected to be a hit for the Lookingglass Theatre Company this March. The production has been in the works for over six years for writer and director Matthew C. Yee. This Lookinggglass Theatre Company ensemble member was inspired by his family's story and he picked the right troupe to convey his personal piece.

White Rooster is set in the 1900s in rural China and surrounds a family haunted by ghosts. A young person named Min suffers loss and attempts to navigate her life in the aftermath.

The cast is stacked with master storytellers and packed with seasoned Chicago actors. The talented pecking order begins with Karen Aldridge as mother Maria and Mark L. Montgomery as papa John. Other outstanding family elders include Louise Lamson, who adds layers to what could have been a bit part as Judy and Daniel Lee Smith, who does duo duty as Hao and Ba.

The strong chemistry between the offspring is also noticeable and Reilly Oh's Pong paired well with Sunnie Eraso's Min. Queer performer Noelle Oh is magnetic as the twisted sister, June.

To round out the cast, Elliot Esquivel sinks his teeth into the role of Fang and eats it up with ease.

The group gives this Rooster more to stand on than one leg, thanks to multifaceted line reads that are cleverly delivered. The performers are allowed to give the script room to breathe.

There is plenty of unexpected and quirky humor throughout what could have been a dark tale.

This visually appealing ghost story is given just the right playful and creative treatment, depicted through shadow puppetry and marionettes. There are skilled birdlike moves for the thrashing fowl possessed by Pong's spirit and choreographed dance segments.

There are original songs and live instrumentations to enhance the Asian folklore throughout the script.

The set is perfectly angled diagonally in the venue with a traverse stage. This allows the players to be close to the onlookers who are seated on both sides. There is not a bad seat in the house, even from a bird's eye view in the balcony.

Vegans should be aware of some of the animal cruelty content, but it's part of the meat-eating culture found in China. Towards the final curtain call, there are several false endings and some bits could easily be chopped, but this is a minor quibble in an overall unforgettable show.

White Rooster is a worthy production to add to the roster of this theater company's legacy. It fits like another puzzle piece in the same artistic endeavors of Lookingglass Alice, Moby Dick and Argonautika. It's a powerfully passionate and personal piece from Yee that will be remembered for years to come.

Fly over to the Lookingglass Theatre, 821 North Michigan Avenue, before White Rooster struts away on April 26, 2026. For tickets and information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org