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Picture Perfect
A two-act play by DJ Sanders

August 18-19, 25-26 2006
Directed by Russell J. Bettlach

Sarah Whitfield has recently brought home her husband from the hospital after he suffered a second stroke placing him in a coma. As she anticipates the arrival of her son, her grandson, and her grandson's mother for a special birthday celebration, every hour is critical to ensure the house is properly prepared for their weekend visit. Sarah's prayers are answered when Jackie, a home health care worker, arrives to help Sarah care for her husband, prepare for visitors, and offer her the support she needs. 

Matthew, the eldest and only surviving son, arrives to discover his mother has neglected to inform him of his father's medical condition. Attention is diverted from the feuding mother and son when Alyssa and Rubin arrive. The eight-year-old grandson is truly the apple of his grandmother's eye while Alyssa remains estranged from the other family members because she never married the now deceased Mark Whitfield.

Over the course of the visit, Sarah's strong Christian morals clash with Matthew's outspoken political stances. Each family member is resolute in sharing his or her opinions, but is anyone willing to listen?  Picture Perfect, at its heart, is about family and forgiveness. Three generations of Whitfields find themselves in this awkward family reunion struggling to relate to one another. Family secrets, regrets, and grudges all come to the surface as emotions are heightened by the possible loss of a family member. This drama is an honest portrait of the contemporary American family and reflects the clash between traditional family values and modern ideologies.

CAST

SARAH WHITFIELD JACKIE WILLIAMS MATTHEW WHITFIELD RUBIN WHITFIELD ALYSSA MEYERS

Anita Lippman Marilyn Bass-Hayes Todd Hartstein David Jeffery Maria Jeffery

Jackie Williams (Marilyn Bass-Hayes), a medical assistent, comes to the home Sarah Whitfield (Anita Lippman) to help her with her comatose husband Jacob (behind door) and the weekend visit of Sarah's son, grandson and his mother for Jacobs birthday. After refusing to see his father, Matthew explains to Jackie how his father Jacob forced him to practice batting even though he didn't want to play baseball. Matthew finally with Jackies help goes in and confronts his unconscious father that despite what Jacob thought of him and his life, he has had a good life and will continue to.

Having arrived earlier Matthew Whitfield (Todd Hartstein) greets his nephew Rubin Whitfield (David Jeffery) and his mother Alyssa Meyers (Maria Jeffery). Even though Jacob is in a coma Sarah insists on a birthday party, cake, and singing "Happy Birthday". Matthew successfully instructs Rubin how to hit a ball as far as he can. Rubin proceeds to do just that. The family and Jackie gather around to congratulate Rubin.