Home

Displaying items by tag: Sarah Bright

Wednesday, 11 March 2015 00:00

Review: Picture Imperfect at Athenaeum Theatre

Attempting to tackle a slew of tough issues, Picture Imperfect is an emotional drama with good intention that raises awareness to the difficulties of...well, single motherhood, autism, drug abuse, gambling, abandonment, the hardships in dealing with Child Protective Services, spousal manipulationand eventually mental illness. Thoughall important issues, co-writing duo Joel Z. Cornfield and Richard James Zieman may have diluted their intended focus by planting too many different seeds in the garden. Still, as many subjects that are touched upon in its hour and forty-five minute duration, this story, partially inspired from true events, has its share of intense-filled moments, some stemming from sheer misfortune but most from a chain of poor decision making. 

 

Cole is an autistic boy who expresses his thoughts with a paintbrush and canvas. His mother Mary is trying hard torebound from a string of unwise decisions that puts Cole's future into the hands of the Child Protective Services and, Eric, the eldest son, has all the athletic talent in the world but turns to a life of heroin abuse. George, the boys' gambling addicted father, has left four years ago where he has latched onto a stunning young beauty and convinces her to make pornographic videos for money. After his lengthy hiatus, George soon after returns to his family but with suspicious motives. With the threat of losing her son, Cole, to the system, Mary tries to recreate a healthy family environment. Our George and Mary here are about as far as they could be from the same named beloved couple in It's A Wonderful Life - rich in morale fiber, clean-nosed, thoughtful and family oriented. Perhaps the playwrights purposely played on such a disparity to demonstrate the immense contrast in character and circumstance - the results of love,understanding and sacrifice versus a selfishness to the point of destruction.

 

This is Dr. Joel Cornfield’s first contribution to the theatre is a tragedy piece but as the writer puts it, “There’s hope springing from tragedy.”

 

Barring a handful of passionate exchanges betweenmother and son and wife and estranged husband that get pretty penetrating, the two brightest spots in this play are Sarah Bright's demanding portrayal of Mary and Jamie McKinney's heartfelt performance as Eric. Alyssa Thordarson also delivers and is very convincing as Pam, George's seemingly unlikely mistress. The three are able to carry the cast to make this a respectable production along with its story that does just enough to keep it interesting. I do commend the writer's desire to bring to the table so many subjects that warrant concern and more awareness, but in this case slightly less may have been so much more.

Picture Imperfect is being performed at The Athenaeum Theatre through April 4th. For tickets and/or more show information call 773-935-6875 or visit www.athenaeumtheatre.org.

Published in Theatre in Review

CLUE On Sale Now

18 December 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce that individual tickets for CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game…

Three-time Jeff Award winner Ron OJ Parson to direct Hymn

17 December 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces renowned Chicago director Ron OJ Parson will helm the North American premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn, making his CST directorial debut.…

25 Years of Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer: A Warm and Sparkling Celebration of Individuality!

17 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

I fondly recall watching the 1964 children’s television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer each year with great wonder! Its message…

Trap Door Theatre Presents: The Mannequins Ball, Opening January 23rd

16 December 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Trap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its 31st season with a production of the renowned play, The Mannequins' Ball. Written by Bruno…

Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter

13 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

Upon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are…

This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance

11 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

Just as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and…

HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO RETURNS TO THE HARRIS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE FOR SEASON 47 WINTER SERIES

10 December 2024 in Upcoming Dance

Today, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series.…

An Evening with David Sedaris: The best-selling author and humorist to appear live at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on April 12

10 December 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

David Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular…

Hell in a Handbag Productions Hosts Special Weekend of Benefit Performances During Holiday Run of Rudolph THE RED-HOSED REINDEER An Unauthorized Musical Parody

10 December 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Hell in Handbag is pleased to host a special weekend of benefit performances during its upcoming 25th anniversary edition of Rudolph the Red-Hosed…

The Hip Hop Nutcracker is Now Playing

10 December 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

The Hip Hop Nutcracker has returned to Chicago by popular demand and is now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre…

Join Sweet DeLa and Spicy Jinkx in their irreverent shenanigans

10 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

[Reviewer’s Note: I’ve been reading a book whose main character is inveigled by Word of the Day; hence, I’ve striven…

Finally, A Fresh and Fitting Take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women

07 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

Like a lot of people, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been mostly a cultural curiosity for much of my…

An AfFAIR to Remember; Joffrey's The Nutcracker A Must See This Holiday Season

06 December 2024 in Theatre Reviews

There is something magical about Chicago at Christmastime. Even if there is no snow on the ground, there is an…

Broadway in Chicago’s Production of & Juliet is a Jaw-Dropping Blast from Start to Finish

05 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

Lights come down at the top of the show. We are clearly in a rehearsal hall as the ensemble lets…

A cop & a night watchman get tangled between right & wrong in Shattered Globe's revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero, January 24 through March 1 at Theater Wit

04 December 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Charm, romance and humor abound in the 2001 comedic masterpiece Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of…

Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner Radiant Throughout at Bramble Arts Loft

02 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

Immediately following the gastronomical excesses of Thanksgiving are the monetary investments and personal sacrifices we make for Christmas.  At the…

Review: It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues Theater

02 December 2024 in Theatre in Review

“No man is a failure who has friends,” is to film what “God bless us everyone” is to literature. Frank…

Porchlight Hosts FUN HOME: BEHIND THE SHOW BACKSTORY, Dec. 10 at Ruth Page Center

28 November 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce Fun Home: Behind the Show Backstory with Artistic Director Michael Weber, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7…

MEAN GIRLS is Now Playing

26 November 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce MEAN GIRLS – the record-breaking new musical comedy adapted from the hit Paramount Pictures film…

Lookingglass Welcomes Founding Ensemble Member David Schwimmer and Chicago Attorney James (Jimmy) Oh to its Board of Directors

25 November 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

After pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is proud…

Cast and production team announced for Chicago Premiere of Reina Hardy’s GLASSHEART, January 10 – February 23

25 November 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

City Lit Theater has announced its cast and creative team for the Chicago Premiere of GLASSHEART, by Chicago-based playwright Reina…

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's 'Season 47 Fall Series' is Sexy Romantic and Powerful

25 November 2024 in Dance in Review

Steppenwolf's cozy downstairs theater provided the ideal setting for an evening of outstanding and expressive dance by the highly acclaimed…

Goodman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” Warms Hearts as It Rings in a Joyful Holiday Season

25 November 2024 in Theatre in Review

I arrived at the Goodman Theatre for the opening of its 47th annual production of A Christmas Carol, directed by…

Don’t Miss this Rollicking Rendition of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”

25 November 2024 in Theatre in Review

If you’re looking for a way to entertain the children (or grandchildren) this holiday season that doesn’t involve long lines,…

A Lovely Night; Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella revives magic at Marriott Theatre

24 November 2024 in Theatre Reviews

In 1997, Disney came out with the most magnificent adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella that has ever been made.…

Throbbin’ Wood, complete with Merry Men? Count me in!

21 November 2024 in Theatre in Review

What the hell is pantomime anyway?  Will I be reviewing a game of Charades?   Google to the rescue! But I…

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival returns January 15-26, 2025

21 November 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is pulling strings to raise funds this fall, offering three exclusive sneak peeks of…

Oil Lamp Theater Announces the Cast for its 2025 Season Opener: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), Jan. 24 - Feb. 16, 2025

21 November 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its first production of the 2025 season, The Complete…

Half-Price Holidays return to Hot Tix as Chicago theatres get festive for the 2024 holiday season

21 November 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago theatres will present a wide variety of festive plays, musicals, dance, and comedy offerings this holiday season. In support,…

 

 

         17 Years and counting!

Register

     

Latest Articles

  • 25 Years of Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer: A Warm and Sparkling Celebration of Individuality!
    Written by
    I fondly recall watching the 1964 children’s television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer each year with great wonder! Its message of hope—that you can be yourself and different from the herd—left a lasting impression. The idea that, through perseverance, you…
  • Trap Door Theatre Presents: The Mannequins Ball, Opening January 23rd
    Trap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its 31st season with a production of the renowned play, The Mannequins' Ball. Written by Bruno Jasieński, The Mannequins' Ball will be directed by Resident Choreographer Miguel Long, and Managing Director Nicole Wiesner. The Mannequins' Ball will play January 23 – March 1,…
  • Three-time Jeff Award winner Ron OJ Parson to direct Hymn
    Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces renowned Chicago director Ron OJ Parson will helm the North American premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn, making his CST directorial debut. Chakrabarti has re-imagined her play in the South Side of Chicago, following an acclaimed premiere at London's Almeida Theatre. The…
  • CLUE On Sale Now
    Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce that individual tickets for CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game and adapted from the fan-favorite film, will go on sale today, Wednesday, December 18. The show will play at the CIBC…

Guests Online

We have 1119 guests and no members online

Buzz Chicago on Facebook Buzz Chicago on Twitter 

Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.