Trying to Start Over Again

Ugly Lies the Bone

Jess is an American Hero. She served three tours in Afghanistan as a brave, dependable soldier in combat. But now she has returned to her small hometown in Florida, after enduring an explosion that resulted in severe burns all over her body, as well as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Learning to cope with the many new changes in her life is far more difficult than can be possibly be imagined. Not only does Jess have to endure unbearable pain, as well as all the differences that have occurred in body and personality, but there are transformations that have taken place at home. This includes the people who used to be a part of her world.

Jessica’s mother is now been moved to a senior care facility. Then, her schoolteacher sister Kacie is in a shady relationship with an out-of-work wheeler-dealer named Kelvin. And Stevie, Jess’ former boyfriend, is in a loveless marriage, no longer works at NASA and now runs a gas station convenience store. The one constant, and the only positive element, in Jess’ life is her therapy sessions. The authoritative, unseen voice of her therapist continually takes Jess through a series of new, exploratory healing treatments. They involve strapping on a face mask and diving deep into an imaginary world created by virtual reality. As Jessica starts to heal and her pain begins to lessen, we watch the young woman’s relationships with her friends and family become stronger, as she tries to start her life all over again.

As Jess, Christina Gorman is the real strength of this production, sensitively and powerfully Directed by Jonathan Berry. She brings the audience directly into her world of unrelenting pain and staunch determination. We journey with this valiant young woman every step of the way on her road to recovery. Lindsey Ferrentino’s one-act play gives Ms. Gorman an opportunity for a tour de force performance. She’s nicely supported by Cyd Blakewell as Kacie, a delightful Christopher Acevedo as former boyfriend Stevie, Eddie Martinez portraying good, ol’ boy Kelvin. The always wonderful Barbara Figgins is commanding as the voice of the unseen therapist, and she also makes an appearance as Mom.

Several of the supporting artists who help Jonathan Berry bring this 90-minute production to life need to be praised, as well. First and foremost, Erin Pleake’s magical, moving Projection Design allows theatergoers to experience first-hand the virtual reality therapy that Jess experiences. The sheer creativity and the method with which Ms. Pleake finesses her art is nothing short of amazing. Add to this roster of talented theatrical artists Hannah Andrus, for her wonderful Makeup Design. Her skill shows the toll of war on Jess but never appears overdone. And Lindsay Mummert’s economical less-is-more Set Design gives the audience a suggestion of Jess’ house and environment. In particular, the decision to provide a space downstage center, in which Berry stages the therapy sessions, is inspired.

After its World Premiere in New York City by the Roundabout Theatre Company, Shattered Globe chose to present the Midwest Premiere of UGLY TO THE BONE as part of their 2025-26 Season. In keeping with the company’s mission, Jonathan Berry’s moving production discovers new connections between story, artist and audience. This challenging piece of theatre encourages the audience to empathize with the main character and to fully understand the difficulty of trying to start over again.         

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 3-November 15 by Shattered Globe Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 773-975-8150 or by going to www.theaterwit.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.