The World Premiere of PICTURE IMPERFECT is directed by Michael Stults, Evergreen Park resident

The Athenaeum Theatre and Bread & Roses Productions in association with Inglis Hall Productions and Suzanne M. Gray, are proud to announce the World Premiere of PICTURE IMPERFECT, previewing on February 28, opening on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m., and running through April 4 at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Directed by Michael Stults and written by Joel Z. Cornfield & Richard James Zieman (THE LAST GAME at Stage 773 and THE LAST HAND at The Athenaeum Theatre), PICTURE IMPERFECT tells the story of a single mother and the impossibly conflicted decisions she must make. Michael Stults is directing PICTURE IMPERFECT. Michael is originally from Ohio where he grew up in a small theater community performing at the local theater the Bellevue Society for the Arts (BSA) where he eventually went on to direct the Teen Theater program for two years. He then set his sights on Chicago to pursue his acting and directing degree.

Abandoned, impoverished, and haunted by past mistakes, Mary battles an unforgiving system as it moves in painful, inexorable steps to take her beloved autistic son, Cole. In a frantic attempt to alter fate to protect Cole, Mary seeks to re-create the ‘perfect family’ she believes she once had. This World Premiere play about hope and redemption, guilt and misperceptions is based on true life incidents. Any parent will see themselves fighting alongside Mary as she desperately tries to save her autistic child.

The ensemble cast of Chicago-based actors includes Sarah Bright, Izadorius Tortuga, Jamie McKinney, Katherine Bellantone, Jeffrey Brown, Alyssa Thordarson, and Tanous El-Kareh.

The artistic team is led by Lauren Girard Forster (Production Manager), Brian Browne (Technical Director/Set Designer), Mike Goebel (Lighting Designer), and Steve Labedz (Sound Design).

Performances for PICTURE IMPERFECT are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. from February 26 through April 4 at The Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Three, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Tickets are $30.00 for full admission and $20.00 for seniors & students. Group discounts are available. For tickets, please call 773.935.6875 or visit www.athenaeumtheatre.org.