Ron OJ Parson * ~ + Director

Cast

Tim Decker * Al Manners

Vincent Jordan * John Nevins

Shariba Rivers * Wiletta Mayer

Charles Stransky * Henry

Guy Van Swearingen * Bill O'Wray

Tarina J. Bradshaw Millie Davis

Jordan Ashley Grier Judy Sears

Kenneth D. Johnson Sheldon Forrester

Adam Shalzi Eddie Fenton

Production Team

Miranda Anderson * Stage Manager
Trey Brazeal Associate Lighting Designer
Mark Brown Lighting Supervisor
Gianni Carcagno Production Assistant/COVID Compliance Officer
Robin DaSilva Vocal Consultant
Lucy Elkin Costume Supervisor
Johan H. Gallardo Associate Costume Designer
Martine Kei Green-Rogers Dramaturg
Camille Jackson Marketing Consultant
Emmanuel Jimenez Scenic Supervisor
Christopher A. Kriz # Original Music and Sound Designer
Jessica Kuehnau Wardell Scenic Charge Artist
Caitlin McLeod Scenic Designer
Aria Morris Assistant Scenic Designer
Christine Pascual # Costume Designer
Averi Paulsen Audio Supervisor
Megan E. Pirtle Wig and Hair Designer
Dina Spoerl Dramaturgical Display Designer
Mia Thomas Wardrobe
Brandon Wardell # Lighting Designer
Jennifer Wernau Properties Designer
Ellen Willett Production Manager Sub
DeRon S. Williams Associate Director/Assistant Dramaturg

Understudies

Chloe Belongilot Judy Sears

Zach Bloomfield Henry

Matthew Collins Bill O'Wray

Breanna Ghostone Millie Davis

Mike Jimerson Al Manners

Andre McGraw Sheldon Forrester

Brandon J. Sapp John Nevins

Elliot Simmons Eddie Fenton

Tina Marie Wright Wiletta Mayer

Reviews

Chicago Tribune

November 12, 2022

“★★★1/2…an intensely detailed and richly acted revival from director Ron OJ Parson…a brilliantly incisive and emotionally rich piece of writing, filled with characters suffering from what poet Langston Hughes famously referred to as ‘the dream deferred.’”

—Chris Jones

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Chicago Sun-Times

November 14, 2022

“★★★★…In TimeLine Theatre Company’s can’t-look-away staging, director Ron OJ Parson shapes a production that is both period-perfect and urgently of the moment.”

—Catey Sullivan

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Around the Town Chicago

November 10, 2022

“★★★★★…TROUBLE IN MIND, by Alice Childress is troubling and difficult to watch. Not because it isn’t an amazing production with incredible performances, because that it is…You will most certainly be discussing the play with those who watch with you as you leave the theater…a story we must watch, with words we must hear…Ms. Childress would be quite pleased.”

—Paul M. Lisnek

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Broadway World

November 11, 2022

“a blistering portrait of racial and gender politics on Broadway…  It’s both fascinating that we’re now able to experience TROUBLE IN MIND for the first time in Chicago in 2022, but it’s also chilling how relevant the play still is.”

—Rachel Weinberg

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Chicago Reader

November 17, 2022

“TimeLine’s production stars Shariba Rivers as Wiletta, and it’s a stunning performance that should not be missed…it’s a pure joy to see her move here with nimble leaps from sardonic asides to anguished take-no-prisoners confrontations with Tim Decker’s Manners. Parson’s funny but wrenching production places us up close to these characters as they wrestle with their consciences and each other.”

—Kerry Reid

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Buzz Center Stage

November 12, 2022

“TimeLine Theatre, with their strong company, long experience, broad resources and culture of excellence, presents us with a superlative production of this incredible play. At the interval my companion and I were debating which was finer – the script, the acting, or the production – and at the final curtain we were still unable to single one out.”

—Sarz Maxwell

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Third Coast Review

November 14, 2022

“There is a feeling of connection between the characters that in lesser hands would not come through. [Director Ron OJ] Parson and his cast create a synthesis that puts the audience backstage in the thick of the conflict. Parson has a deft touch with plays about being Black in America.”

—Kathy D. Hey

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Picture This Post

November 10, 2022

“The pitch perfect direction by OJ Parson seems to let every actor in this production shine, and especially gives Shariba Rivers an opportunity to deliver a tour de force performance… Anyone who loves theater’s ability to say something important – as lead character Wiletta Mayer craves it to do—will be well-served by changing their schedule to see this show.”

—Amy Munice

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Let's Play Theatrical Reviews

November 9, 2022

“Alice Childress’ riveting and thought-provoking, TROUBLE IN MIND will have you questioning the soul of your integrity. It compels the audience to ask whether we can see the racism within us —and how we, humanity, can eradicate it.”

—Rick McCain

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Features

Chicago Sun-Times

November 3, 2022

 

What’s interesting for me is how relevant the play still is. Black people particularly are still fighting this battle over identity, over being able to name themselves, and speak for themselves, and define themselves without interference or without commentary.
– Shariba Rivers

The Chicago Sun-Times’ Mary Houlihan spoke with director Ron OJ Parson and cast members Shariba Rivers and Tim Decker about how Alice Childress’ drama about the Black experience in the theatre world is as powerful today as it was when it was written in the mid-1950s.

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