Reviews: In My Mind’s Eye

“A moving story inspired by true events, In My Mind’s Eye reveals the joys of overcoming challenges and making connections through excellent performances and direction. Thoughtful and rewarding, the memory play reveals the joys of following your own heart. Director Bruce Kimmel artfully blends past/present, child/adult through cinematic transitions like blackouts and quick cutting, enhanced by first rate production work. The cast gives powerful performances …Potent and tender, the engrossing [this play] combines heartfelt action and witty moments.”

— Mary Mallory | Tolucan Times

“Haverty’s script is full of feeling and compassion, and with excellent direction by Bruce Kimmel, each of these actors reaches into their characters giving us the courage, spirit, fortitude, and finally resolution to the difficulties life throws us.  It is a tender yet strong and wonderfully written story, and one I became totally engrossed in. Great set design by Pawena Sriha. The actors are wonderful, the script is wonderful, and the direction is wonderful. I recommend IN MY MIND’S EYE. I’m still thinking about it.  It is memorable. I hope you enjoy this first offering of their 46th Season at the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre. I know I did.”

— Cathy Wayne | NoHo Arts

“… a kaleidoscope-colored, multi-dimensional play about the triumphs and travails of a legally blind, courageous female public school teacher who finds love and pain in her journey from student to educator. The writing is sumptuous, surreal, salient and surprising. Bruce Kimmel’s erudite direction is equally poetic. The emotional and psychological depth, drama and delight are apparent in not merely the set design, but the lighting, sound, and interplay of the actors. Kudos to all involved.”

—Radomir Vojtech Luza | At the theatre with Radomir Luza

“… inspired by true events, and based on a legally-blind female public school teacher, this play is a revival that was the first full-length play produced years ago in the Lonny Chapman Theatre and is every bit as meaningful, thought-provoking and compelling as it was then. Kimmel did a sterling job as director of this exceptional cast.”

—Carol Kaufman Segal | Carol’s Culture Corner

“… a charming memory play that chronicles the coming-of-age of a legally blind woman and her journey from childhood to adulthood … I could not help but root for her success as she yearned to become a teacher … the chemistry between the actors is palpable.”

—Julia Lloyd George | Stage Raw

“… there is much enjoyment to experience in the play, which is engrossing and simultaneously laden with a terrific sense of humor.  It boasts a fabulous cast and expert direction by Bruce Kimmel … We are on the edge of our seats as we root for Trish to accept her childhood and her mother’s love … One of my favorite scenes is where Patty is dancing with Calhoon and Trish with Hugo and they suddenly switch partners. Kimmel has directed this with finesse and the lovely background music he has composed adds flavor and color to the moment. 

The ensemble are all dynamic with … wonderful comedic touches … lovely and so vulnerable … nicely balanced … Pawena Sriha’s set design enhances the shadowy time element of the play. Douglas Gabrielle’s lighting design adds a dreamlike touch to the proceedings, and Michael Mullens’s costumes are period perfect … IN MY MIND’S EYE will bring the audiences a lot of pleasure. It is not easy to enter the world of a non-seeing person. Haverty has managed to capture blindness in a whole new light by allowing us to first of all appreciate the person for who she is from the inside out.” 

— Don Grigware | Grigware Reviews