Chicago Area Book Dramatist Channels Mysterious Chicago Photographer

Vivian Maier often shot from the hip. She would hold her dual-lens box camera about waist high and capture unsuspecting passersby on the streets of Chicago and New York. The resulting black and white images are intensely captivating—as haunting as the candid portrait work done by Diane Arbus, Jeanne Bertrand, Henri Cartier-Bresson and other famous photographers of her time.

But Maier never sought fame. In fact, unlike the others, Maier hid from public view the hundreds of thousands of photographs she shot throughout the 1950s, '60s and '70s, making the story behind this reluctant genius just as compelling as her images.

________________________________________________

Riddle steps into the mind of the mysterious Maier—so much so that the audience feels as if they are watching Maier, herself.
________________________________________________

Maier passed away, broke and unknown in 2009, and her images were discovered, documented and presented to the world in the form of books, articles, exhibits and even a newly released documentary film.

But one of the most interesting interpretations of Maier and her work comes from talented Chicago-area dramatic book reviewer Jenny Riddle, who channels Maier in a spell-binding performance.

Riddle, as Maier, describes her work as a nanny who never wanted to make a living as a photographer. An intensely private woman, she never sold, shared or displayed any of her work, keeping it all hoarded away in boxes. Riddle steps into the mind of the mysterious Maier—so much so that the audience feels as if they are watching Maier, herself. She shares anecdotes of the children in her care, her observations on the mean streets of Chicago and some insight into her private nature.

Riddle's performance is based on the book, "Vivian Maier: Out of the Shadows" by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams.

"I am a lover of books," Riddle said.

In her 14th year as a dramatic book reviewer, Riddle, of Elmhurst, also has a strong background in theater and music, and as a York High School English teacher.

"When I was teaching, I always tried to make things as entertaining in the classroom as possible—adding a little drama to the experience. So, this has been such a great way to be an educational entertainer. It allows me to take my interest and passion for reading and performing and interact with the audience, get them inspired to go out and read this book."

She tries to be as true to her subjects as possible.

"You can't tell somebody's whole life in 45 minutes," she said. "You want to have some drama, some conflict, a little bit of humor, maybe make them cry a little bit. Universal things people can relate to. I'm not an impersonator. I'm just trying to bring this person to life."

Jenny has a strong following, performing for a variety of clubs, organizations, at fund-raisers and public events—anywhere she can interact with an audience.

"I love my audiences. They're wonderful," she said. "I can honestly say I have the best job in the world."

Her fans are captivated by Jenny's portrayal of Vivian Maier. Jo Ayo caught a recent performance in Glen Ellyn May 15.

"Listening to Jenny, it just brings the characters to life," Ayo said. "She is so talented in so many different ways that she can bring out the personality without going over the top."

Ayo is a member of the Glen Ellyn Book Review group. Nearly all of its 80 members were in attendance to hear Vivian Maier that day. It wasn't their first time experiencing Jenny.

"The first time we experienced one of her performances, there was a standing ovation," Ayo said. "And, this group does not often get on their feet."

She said once anyone sees Jenny perform, they'll want to bring their friends.

"It's an intelligent performance. I've never been disappointed," she said.

Jenny and her mother, Madge Cloud, co-write all of her performances.

"I'm just so impressed with the writing, the editing," Ayo said. "She's just so talented."

For more information on Jenny or to schedule an event, visit her webpage.

Download the movie