The Bluest Eye Reviews

Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended

"...It's been 12 years since A Noise Within's architectural repurposing of the 1958 Stuart Pharmaceutical Neo-Formalist building in Pasadena into a theater complex. For those who haven't seen it yet, its sleek mid-century interior, smartly decorated with seating and tables, has a lobby functioning as a lounge with attractive displays of past production portraits and theater awards. But the real attraction is the current production of The Bluest Eye. GO! Lovingly adapted by Lydia R. Diamond from the debut novel by the late Toni Morrison, director Andi Chapman helms her creative team, crew, and incredibly talented ensemble of actors to create an exemplary vision which is as vibrantly joyful as it is distressingly tragic."

Stage Scene LA- Somewhat Recommended

"...Performances are uniformly topnotch and the A Noise Within season opener is imaginatively directed and stylishly designed. I only wish I had enjoyed Lydia R. Diamond's undoubtedly faithful stage adaptation of Toni Morrison's downer of a novel The Bluest Eye even half as much as the Grade A treatment it's been given."

Showmag- Highly Recommended

"...Now, A Noise Within has brought the disturbing tale to life in a brilliant rendition by Lydia R. Diamond. Director Andi Chapman presents the story theatrically through sound effects and lighting, rather than furniture and props, so that the action moves seamlessly to depict the story of three youngsters: Pecola(Akilah Walker), Frieda (Mildred Marie Langford), and Claudia (Kacie Rogers) in the segregated South, growing up amidst the rules dictated by white privilege that govern their lives. Even their mixed-race classmate, Maureen (Alexandra Metz), has more agency than they. These girls become the chorus against which Pecola’s story unfolds."

Stage Raw- Somewhat Recommended

"...So it’s disappointing that what flows smoothly on the page doesn’t manifest quite as well on stage. It isn’t that the performances are inadequate — they range from capable to good — but that the challenges presented by this particular narrative aren’t easy to overcome. Somehow the high points of the drama get swallowed in the rhythms of the storytelling and fail to create the impact that they should."

Haines His Way- Recommended

"...Director Andi Chapman has skillfully led her talented cast in this process, melding them into a finely tuned ensemble. The language is lyrical and poetic at times, even when relating the darkest details. The Bluest Eye is uncomfortable viewing at times; it’s 100-minute running time presented without a break. There is still joy to be found here, like in the opening gospel gathering. After all the tragedy that befalls Pecola, she still manages to believe. Especially when she looks in a mirror."

The Hollywood Times- Recommended

"...The audience was truly moved by the production and rose for a standing ovation in appreciation of its touching depiction of the plight of these young African-American girls, in some ways wise beyond their years, and the heart-rendering descent of young Pecola into madness as she believes she now has the blue eyes for which she has long wished."