Sue Merrell, of the Grand Rapids Press, reviewed Distracted, now showing at Actors’ Theatre. You can check it out on www.mlive.com. Read an excerpt of the review below:
Center of chaos in ‘Distracted’ is boy with ADHD, but there’s much more to the story
Published: Friday, December 03, 2010, 9:43 AM
Sue Merrell | The Grand Rapids PressPhoto credit: Paul L. Newby II | The Grand Rapids Press - Jesse's parents, Father Mike Frankey and Mama Elena Turkel, talk on the cell phone while driving in different cars during "Distracted" at Actor's Theatre.
If you could cram all the distractions and frustrations of contemporary life into one two-hour play, that would pretty much describe “Distracted,” the latest offering from Actors’ Theatre.
Not only does Christian Poquette’s versatile set incorporate 27 video screens, but several members of the nine-member cast play multiple roles, sometimes having conversations with themselves.
Playwright Lisa Loomer has hit on so many of today’s problems and instant solutions, such as the neighbor who has gastric bypass surgery but secretly pigs out on doughnuts; the parents whose cell phones interrupt their conversations and their driving; the doctors who juggle their own personal problems while trying to advise patients or hide behind computer screens.
But the central issue is Jesse, a 9-year-old boy who is afraid of fire drills and balks at bedtime. His teacher says he is disruptive, Dad says he is just being a boy, and Mom is trying to figure out which medical advice to follow. (…)
Be sure and head over to www.mlive.com to read the rest of the article.
Tickets are still available for Distracted, go to the Actors’ Theatre website at actorstheatregrands.org to order them online or for more information.
Performance Dates for Distracted:
December 3-4, 9-11
All performances at 8:00 PM
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