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Nobody’s Perfect
by Simon Williams
Directed by Rachael Lindley
Produced by Richardson Theatre Centre
Audience Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices Available: Not available
Sensory-friendly Showing: Not available
ASL Showing: Not available
Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: mild innuendo and smoking
Production Sound/Lighting Level: Comfortable
Running Time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices Available: Not available
Sensory-friendly Showing: Not available
ASL Showing: Not available
Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: mild innuendo and smoking
Production Sound/Lighting Level: Comfortable
Reviewed by Eddy Herring
If you are looking for an evening of non-stop laughs, Richardson Theatre Centre’s production of
Nobody’s Perfect by Simon Williams is a must see!
Nobody’s Perfect by Simon Williams is a must see!
Nobody’s Perfect is more widely known as a British play, but director Rachael Lindley has chosen the
American version that makes location and societal references all the more familiar to the American
audience. Lindley has assembled an ensemble of brilliantly adept local talent that bring this high-
energy, fast-paced comedy to life. The stage, designed by Kyle Chinn and Lindley, is divided into three sections…the front stoop of the Loftus apartment, the apartment itself, and the office of "Love is All Around" publishing…and works very well for this theatre configuration. Scenic artist, Christina Stirling, created a cozy, well lived-in apartment in contrast to the more modern furnishings of the publishing office. Sound design by Rusty Harding and Lighting by Kenneth Hall are appropriate to the staging. And, Lindley has selected perfect costumes for each actor.
American version that makes location and societal references all the more familiar to the American
audience. Lindley has assembled an ensemble of brilliantly adept local talent that bring this high-
energy, fast-paced comedy to life. The stage, designed by Kyle Chinn and Lindley, is divided into three sections…the front stoop of the Loftus apartment, the apartment itself, and the office of "Love is All Around" publishing…and works very well for this theatre configuration. Scenic artist, Christina Stirling, created a cozy, well lived-in apartment in contrast to the more modern furnishings of the publishing office. Sound design by Rusty Harding and Lighting by Kenneth Hall are appropriate to the staging. And, Lindley has selected perfect costumes for each actor.
Brian Hoffman plays Leonard, the single father of teenager DeeDee (Madison Stirling), and son of Gus (Budd Mahan) who all live together in their small apartment. A statistician by trade, Leonard is a lonely man without ANY game, who is just not a ladies’ man. DeeDee is the typical slightly rebellious teen who loves her father but is mortified by his inability to be cool. Then there is Gus who teeters on the nerves of Leonard who constantly threatens to send him back to Sunny Springs, the “home” where he had previously been kicked out of for his behavior. Enter Harriet Copeland (Heather Walker Shin,) from the feminist publishing house of "Love is All Around" who is bored and looking for a new author who follows their motto of For Women by Women. When she creates a competition to find this new voice for women, the door opens for Leonard to discover a different side of himself, and of course, hilarity ensues.
Hoffman perfectly portrays the mundane Leonard with great ease. He is a man of facts and figures who
battles with self-expression. He can’t relate to his daughter, he is frustrated by his father, and he can’t
say the words “I love you”. He was hurt by his failed marriage, and we see that through Hoffman’s
performance. He finds his voice by becoming someone else, his aunt Lulabelle Latiffa. Hoffman
hilariously adopts this persona and is so fun to watch as he ridiculously becomes Lulabelle (physically) to the shock and humor of this family, as he grabs the attention of Harriet by writing and winning her
competition. His energy and facial expressions as this story unwinds is truly a spectacle. His interactions with all three characters are genuine, over-the-top, and full of humor. Stirling gives DeeDee just the right amount of hopeless angst to her father while still showing us that she really loves him. Their scenes together work very well, as do her scenes with her grandfather Gus.
The chemistry between Hoffman and Mahan is fantastic! Hoffman’s sometimes frantic swings coupled with Mahan’s playfully dry, quick wit are hysterical. Mahan is brilliant in this role and is a master of comic delivery and timing. His performance was praised several times throughout the production with huge laughter and applause. Mahan portrays the slightly crazy Gus with heart and tongue-in-cheek charm. You cannot help but adore Gus.
Heather Walker Shin was appropriately stern and confidence-driven as Harriet Copeland with a level of real humanity hidden underneath. Her scenes with Lulabelle are quite entertaining as their
acquaintance grows. Her facial expressions as she would catch inequities in Lulabelle’s conversation
were subtle and hit the right mark as someone realizing that things are not quite adding up. Her
grounded performance brought a nice balance to the frantic shenanigans going on around her.
Do yourself a favor and go see this show before it sells out! Bring a friend or group of friends. Tickets
are available online at richardsontheatrecentre.net. The show runs
through September 15 with shows on Thursdays @ 7:30, Friday and Saturday evenings @ 8pm, and
Saturday and Sunday matinees @ 2pm.
Go See the Show!
Eddy
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