Contraband’s “Professor House” is a Fascinating Unfolding Mystery

Professor House
by Jacob Juntunen
Directed by Sam Hayes
Contraband Theatre
October 11, 2025

Contraband Theatre and playwright Jacob Juntunen revisit some themes in their latest production, Professor House that had previously been addressed in their excellent show, See You In a Minute, although the tone and general purpose seem to be quite different. This is also a play set in the future, addressing climate change and a future pandemic, but the tone is generally darker. It’s a story that’s hard to describe without giving too much away, but I will say that it’s at once intense, fascinating, and cleverly staged.

The show begins with Peter (Ben Ritchie) a Mizzou English professor, in the cluttered attic of his home, which has become something of a refuge for him. He’s speaking to Tommi (Maida Dippel), who may or may not be a ghost. Soon, we also meet his wife Lillian (Claire Coffey), who is also a professor, but of math; and his adult daughter, Rosamund and Rosamund’s enterprising spouse, Louie (Ron Baker), who are trying to convince Peter to move to a new house that has been built for them, but Peter is reluctant, and we’re not exactly sure why, at least at first. The rest of the story unfolds in a series of confrontations, reflections, flashbacks, parallel scenes, and wanderings that eventually coalesce into a heartfelt tale of relationships, regret, loyalties and betrayals, and the struggle to move on from tragedy. There’s also a recurring theme of climate change and corporate greed vs. community responsibility. 

For the most part, this is a remarkable show. There are a few details I wish were better shown (like why Peter is so attached to Tommi, for instance), but it’s still a fascinating, thoughtfully staged and constructed work of theatre. The acting is fantastic, especially by Ritchie as the melancholy Peter and Dippel as in the especially difficult role of Tommi, whose character evolves somewhat throughout the play as we get to know more about them. Coffey is also memorable as the supportive Lillian, and Harvey and Baker are also convincing and sympathetic as Rosamond and Louie. There’s also a fine performance by Tiajha Silas in a smaller but significant role as Willa, who plays an important role in Tommi’s story.

This is a play that’s alternately dramatic, humorous, mysterious, and moody, and the production values work especially well along with the performances in conveying those shifting and evolving tones. The show also uses the performance space in the Chapel to its maximum potential, creating a world that’s thoroughly believable and partially immersive. Erik Kuhn’s set is meticulously crafted, aided by excellent work from Katie Orr on set dressing and props. The lighting by Theresa Comstock and sound by Ellie Schwetye also contribute much to the atmosphere here, and the costumes by Jen Blum-Tatara suit the characters well.

The overall mood here is striking, with strong pacing and staging by director Sam Hayes and fully realized characters who aren’t always what they first appear to be. There’s an air of discovery about this show that’s well-realized in the overall production, and intriguing and intensely personal themes. Professor House may be a difficult show to describe, but the wonder of discovering it as it happens is well worth the effort. It’s another profoundly impressive theatrical work from Contraband Theatre.

 

Contraband Theatre is presenting Professor House at The Chapel until October 25, 2025