243 BOWERY STREET NEW YORK CITY, NY 10002:

21

August
Playwright
Director
Al Manners
Wiletta
Judy Sears
John Nevins
Millie Davis
Sheldon Forrester
Bill O'Wray
Eddie Fenton
Henry
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Props Artisan
Production Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Music Consultant
Wardrobe Supervisor
Head Electrician
Audio Supervisor
A Black actress makes her 1955 Broadway debut in a backstage story crackling with wit and startling revelations. 

Trouble in Mind

By ALICE CHILDRESS
DIRECTED BY DAWN M. SIMMONS
Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.  At this time, masks are strongly recommended in the theater.  

2023/24 SEASON SPONSORS:
PAUL KASTNER
G. LEE AND DIANA HUMPHREY
PRODUCTION SPONSORS:
JOSEPH RICHARD & RENÉ MORRISSETTE
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS CORPORATE SPONSOR:

Summary

It’s 1955, and after enduring indignities and lost opportunities, Wiletta Mayer, a seasoned Black actress, is finally making her Broadway debut. Written by a white playwright, her star vehicle is the allegedly progressive “Chaos in Belleville,” which turns out to be anything but. Leading a cast of both younger and experienced actors, Wiletta challenges not only the soft racism of her white director but also the veiled prejudice that limits her aspirations and success. With warmth, humor, and sharp insight, this moving backstage look at identity and stereotypes cracks open searing truths about the American theater that remain heartbreakingly contemporary.

Content Advisory: Trouble in Mind, set in 1957, addresses racism, sexism, identity, class, and contains strong profanity. This production contains the use of haze.  
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States 
** Represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE
° Stage Directors and Choreographers Society 
"Lyric Stage maintains their legacy of staging thoughtful, meaningful stories."-Kevin T. Baldwin, METRMag.com 
" Brought to life by an excellent cast under the steady hand of director Dawn M. Simmons."-R.Scott Reedy, Broadway World
" A riveting production directed by Dawn M. Simmons"-Susan Saccoccia, Bay State Banner
"The heartfelt monologue Jean-Baptiste powerfully delivers and the response from other cast members, do not disappoint."-Jacquinn Sinclair, WBUR
"The wonderful Patrice Jean-Baptiste brings dry wit and emotional insight to Wiletta, a lead role requiring a range of humor, cynicism, and passion."- Lynne Weiss, Stage & Cinema

“The engrossing and illuminating production of “Trouble in Mind” at Lyric Stage Company of Boston, is helmed by Dawn M. Simmons. "Trouble in Mind” ranks high on her list of accomplishments. A complex, intricately layered comedy-drama with a lot of moving parts and tonal variation, it presents a challenge to any director. Simmons keeps it all in balance.” -Don Aucoin, The Boston Globe

"a terrific production"-Deborah Barlow, Slow Muse

“The cast has sharp dramatic and comedic skills to navigate the often swiftly changing tone of this production and delves into the nature of Broadway theatre.” The Sleepless Critic