GET INTO TROUBLE
Written by Alice Childress — the first Black woman to have a play professionally produced in New York City — Trouble in Mind recently played on Broadway, and it amazed me how a play written in 1955 can remain resilient and provocative and prescient and timely (the production was nominated for four 2022 Tony Awards, including Best Revival). Now, TimeLine Theatre opens its production of Childress’s 1955 landmark classic, a cutting yet humorous behind-the-curtain drama that examines racial dynamics within American theatre and the tolls of superficial representation on stage.
At a Broadway theater in New York City in the mid-1950s, a group of actors has gathered for their first day rehearsing a new play called Chaos in Belleville, an anti-lynching Southern drama. But as the cast rehearses, tensions flare between Wiletta, the Black actress in the starring role, and her white director about his interpretation of the play. Under Ron OJ Parson’s direction, what emerges is an explosive investigation of interracial politics and the need for a cultural shift in theatre and America. TimeLine’s new Chicago production is an explosive conversation about equality, power, and how race is portrayed in the American theatre.
Trouble in Mind runs through December 18, 2022 at TimeLine Theatre,
615 W. Wellington Ave., in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
For tickets, visit TimeLine or call (773) 281-8463 x6.
Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers) takes in the moment as she stands on a Broadway stage
before rehearsals begin. Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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Everyone laughs at director Al Manners (Tim Decker, standing and leaning on table, center) jokes at the start of rehearsal: Henry (Charles Stransky, from left), Sheldon Forrester (Kenneth D. Johnson), Judy Sears (Jordan Ashley Grier), John Nevins (Vincent Jordan), Eddie Fenton (Adam Shalzi), Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers), and Millie Davis (Tarina J. Bradshaw) in TimeLine Theatre’s production of Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind. Photo by Lara Goetsch. |
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Director Al Manners (Tim Decker, left) instructs Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers)
about what he seeks from her performance. Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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Sheldon Forrester (Kenneth D. Johnson, seated center) shares a deeply personal story during rehearsal as stage manager Eddie Fenton (Adam Shalzi, from left) and cast members Millie Davis (Tarina J. Bradshaw), Bill O’Wray (Guy Van Swearingen), Judy Sears (Jordan Ashley Grier), and Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers) listen to every word. Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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Director Al Manners (Tim Decker, center) is a dominating presence in the rehearsal room,
witnessed by stage manager Eddie Fenton (Adam Shalzi, left) and cast member Millie Davis (Tarina J. Bradshaw). Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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Director Al Manners (Tim Decker, right) shares some of his frustrations about the rehearsal process
with veteran actor Bill O’Wray (Guy Van Swearingen). Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers, right) is no longer on board with the way a scene is being rehearsed with her fellow cast members Millie Davis (Tarina J. Bradshaw, from left), Sheldon Forrester (Kenneth D. Johnson), John Nevins (Vincent Jordan), and Judy Sears (Jordan Ashley Grier). Photo by Lara Goetsch. |
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Director Al Manners (Tim Decker, foreground left) and cast member Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers, foreground right) clash over how to approach the play they are rehearsing, witnessed by cast members Sheldon Forrester (Kenneth D. Johnson, background left) and Judy Sears (Jordan Ashley Grier). Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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Cast members Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers, from left), Sheldon Forrester (Kenneth D. Johnson) and Millie Davis (Tarina J. Bradshaw) share some gossip before rehearsals. Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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Cast member Wiletta Mayer (Shariba Rivers, from left) deals with the dominating presence of director Al Manners (Tim Decker), witnessed by Sheldon Forrester (Kenneth D. Johnson), Judy Sears (Jordan Ashley Grier), John Nevins (Vincent Jordan), Eddie Fenton (Adam Shalzi), and Millie Davis (Tarina J. Bradshaw). Photo by Lara Goetsch. |
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Sheldon Forrester (Kenneth D. Johnson, left) shares a personal story during rehearsal that deeply affects his fellow cast member Wiletta Mayer (SharibaRivers). Photo by Liz Lauren. |
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