Spaceworms, now playing at the St. Ambrose University Studio Theatre, is Haus of Ruckus’s latest foray into exotic locales, obscure pop culture references, and puppetry. Directed by T. Green, the Haus’s newest is a delight for those obsessed with sci-fi pop culture and unfamiliar with the oeuvre of the company.

Director Rebecca Casad and musical director Christine Rogers have wrangled a large, impressive cast, crew, and staff into an energetic singing, dancing, overall good time.

Let it be known: I’m not a true crime kind of gal. As such, the opening night of Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story at the Black Box Theatre was perhaps the most unsettling theatrical experience I’ve had in recent memory. I couldn’t quite get past the fact this was a true story. While it has certainly been dramatized – and as a musical, for Pete’s sake! – I found this somber tale quite disturbing.

It’s actually difficult to know where to begin. What started as a fairly straightforward tale about rescuing a crustacean from an upscale restaurant tank evolved into an existentialist crisis for almost every character as they collectively grappled with their current realities. While that sounds potentially deeper than you’re perhaps expecting, please note that Haus of Ruckus' Punk Rock Lobster is a comedy, and never takes itself too seriously.