Judy’s Life’s Work
Definition Theatre has established itself as a preeminent platform for unique and thought-provoking productions that showcase the distinctive voice of its trailblazing Artistic Director, Tyrone Phillips, and Executive Director, Neel McNeil. Their passion for creating unparalleled and unforgettable plays has helped the theatre build a reputation for excellence and has made it a must-visit destination for theatre enthusiasts. The theater's innovative productions are a must-see, leaving a lasting impression. Add in the incredible talent, Chicago-born playwright, attorney, and theatre journalist Loy A. Webb, who captured the hearts of audiences with her remarkable production of "The Light," nominated for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play as the playwright for Judy's Life's Work— Definition Theatre has become an amazing spot in Chicago's Hyde Park area. It's a hidden gem that's sure to impress!
Directed by the talented Michelle Renee Bester, "Judy's Life's Work" is a touching and enthralling tear-jerker about Xavier and his sister Charli, who has loved and supported her brother since she was three. In the wake of their mother's passing, Xavier, an acclaimed former boxer wrongfully imprisoned for a crime committed by a friend, and Charli, a talented pre-med student, come together to navigate the path forward for their mother's revolutionary medical research. Amidst the sorrow, heartache, and lingering wounds of their past, we witness the life-changing power of sibling love and the enduring bond of family. Charli is having emotional issues dealing with the loss. In contrast, Xavier's hatred for his mother for abandoning him as a child only acknowledges her as Judy. However, when the gym Xavier has purchased to help community kids survive the street is about to foreclose, he remembers his mother, developed groundbreaking research that could historically change how the medical field dealt with reconstructing limbs and parts of the body— he decides to sell her notes to a pharmaceutical company where his new love Camille works. Charli, a brilliant pre-med student whose mother instructed her about the importance of the notes and how to decipher them medically, is reluctant to release them to Xavier.
She uses logical arguments to convince him that the book must stay within the family and not be sold to anyone, particularly a pharmaceutical company trying to acquire the notes to make a profit. Her mother had intended for the medical research to benefit those who could not afford the exorbitant fees charged by others. But Xavier only wanted to save his gym and end the personal pains he felt about his mother by selling the book, completing his vengeful spirit against her—and Camille promised him that the proceeds for the book would secure him for life.
Xavier stands at a crossroads, torn between selling the book or heeding the advice from his sister and going against Camille.
Judy's Life's Work is a captivating story that will pull at your heartstrings and renew your appreciation for the bond between brothers and sisters. The cast of Judy's Life's Work features Rashun Carter (Xavier), Cereyna Jade Bougounea (Charli), and Kenesha Kristine Reed as Camille provides an outstanding, genuine, and relatable real-life scenario that will resonate with any audience. The chemistry between Carter and Bougounea felt natural.
Rashun Carter, featured in roles in Chicago P.D., The Chi, and in Black Ensemble Theatre's Reasons: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, delivered a standout performance as Xavier, an aging boxer and gym owner who struggled to keep kids from the neighborhood troubles he faced. Rashun's portrayal of Xavier was authentic and emotional. Bougounea, who starred in The Chi and Chicago Med, has a captivating presence on stage that will steal your heart as Charli. She is an incredibly talented actress and a shining star we need to see in Chicagoland theaters. Another Chicago Med actor, Kenesha Kristine Reed, delivered a remarkable performance as the daughter of a pharmaceutical owner who was under pressure to obtain a book to save the struggling business. All the actors were featured in the AMC drama "61st Street."
If you enjoy tales of overcoming grief, heartbreak, and childhood trauma, Judy's Life's Work offers a heartwarming story of sibling love that wins over hardship and greed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Definition Theatre
Judy's Life's Work
By Loy A. Webb
Directed by Michelle Renee Bester
February 2 - February 25, 2024
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