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Edited and Published by Robert W. McDowell
January 30, 2025 Issue |
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A FREE Weekly E-mail Newsletter Covering Theater, Dance, Music, and Film in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area of North Carolina Since April 2001. |
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PART 3A: TRIANGLE THEATER REVIEW BY DANI DANIELA |
Paint Me This House of Love Thoughtfully and
Hilariously Reflects on Love and Identity
Chelsea Woolley's Paint Me This House of Love stars Ali Goins as Jules and Monica Hoh as Ci (photo by Kevin Lord)Chelsea Woolley's Paint Me This House of Love is a beautifully crafted comedy that fits right into the season of love. The play explores identity, longing, and the incomplete sentences that we inherit from those who shape us. Directed by Flora Bare and running through Feb. 16th, in Burning Coal Theatre Company's Murphey School Auditorium in Raleigh, this three-character production is both sharp and reflective, making for an engaging night of theater.
At the center of it all is Ci, played by Monica Hoh, a woman trying to make sense of her reality while carrying the weight of what came before her. The play opens with fast-paced, fragmented dialogue between Ci and her father Jules, played by Ali Goins, setting a tone that's at first a little disorienting. The incomplete sentences, the stops and starts ... it's like watching a conversation that never quite lands.
But as the story unfolds, the pieces begin to fit together; and suddenly there's clarity. It's a clever choice that mirrors Ci's own journey, one that's rooted in the desire to be loved and understood.
Julie Hall Oliver (left) and Monica Hoh star as Rhondi and Ci in Paint Me This House of Love stars (photo by Kevin Lord)Ali Goins' Jules adds another layer to the humor, effortlessly weaving between physical comedy and witty banter. His presence is playful, keeping the energy up and pulling the audience into the rhythm of the story.
But it's Ci's mother, played by Julie Hall Oliver, who steals the show. With impeccable comedic timing, she brings both humor and depth, making her the lifeline of the production. She's the source of all the confusion, yet somehow she's also the key to understanding it. Every moment she's on stage feels like a breath of fresh air, keeping the story grounded in something real.
What makes Paint Me This House of Love stand out is its balance of comedy and introspection. Chelsea Woolley's writing, paired with the cast's dynamic performances, allows the audience to connect in a way that feels effortless. There's something familiar about the uncertainty, the humor in the chaos, the unspoken longing for things to make sense. It reminds us that life doesn't always offer easy answers, but we can still create meaning in the spaces in-between.
Monica Hoh stars as Ci and Ali Goins stars as Jules in Chelsea Woolley's Paint Me This House of Love stars (photo by Kevin Lord)By the time the play reaches its final moments, there's a lingering question: Did we get the closure we wanted? Maybe not. But that feels intentional. Not everything in life ties up neatly, and this play embraces that truth. It leaves you thinking about your own unfinished sentences, the stories that you're still writing, and how in the end you're the one holding the brush.
Click here to buy tickets for Paint Me This House of Love at Burning Coal. The show runs Thursday-Sunday through Feb. 16th; and if you're looking for a night of laughter, reflection, and a little bit of artistic chaos, this is a play that you won't want to miss.
Chelsea Woolley's Paint Me This House of Love stars Monica Hoh (left) as Ci and Julie Hall Oliver as Rhondi (photo by Kevin Lord)Chelsea Woolley's PAINT ME THIS HOUSE OF LOVE (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6-9 and 13-16), directed by Flora Bare and starring Ali Goins as Jules, Monica Hoh as Ci, and Julie Hall Oliver as Rhondi (Burning Coal Theatre Company in the Murphey School Auditorium in Raleigh). FEATURETTE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCnhTwS9wgY. DIGITAL PROGRAM: https://burningcoal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PAINT-ME-digital-program.pdf. STUDY GUIDE: https://burningcoal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Paint-Me-Study-Guide.pdf. PRESENTER: https://burningcoal.org/, https://www.facebook.com/burningcoaltheatrecompany, https://www.instagram.com/burningcoaltc/, https://twitter.com/burningcoaltc, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3qVv6iWGS3yQtVoFH5_XNQ. PODCASTS: https://burningcoal.podbean.com/. 2024-25 MAINSTAGE SEASON: https://burningcoal.org/now-playing/season-28/. VENUE: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/ and https://burningcoal.org/history-of-the-murphey-school/. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/. ACCESSIBILITY: https://burningcoal.org/accessibility/. VENUE: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/ and https://burningcoal.org/history-of-the-murphey-school/. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/. ACCESSIBILITY: https://burningcoal.org/accessibility/. PAINT ME THIS HOUSE OF LOVE (2023 Toronto play): https://newplayexchange.org/script/2049915/paint-me-this-house-of-love and https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/2022-2023/paint-me-this-house-of-love/. STUDY GUIDE (Tarragon Theatre of Toronto): https://tarragontheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Paint-Me-This-House-of-Love-Resource-Guide-1.pdf. CHELSEA WOOLLEY (Canadian playwright and librettist): https://newplayexchange.org/users/15124/chelsea-woolley, https://playwrightsguild.ca/playwright/woolley-chelsea/ and https://nnpn.org/affiliated-artists/chelsea-woolley. TICKETS: $30 ($5 college students, $20 teachers and active-duty military personnel, and $25 seniors 65+), except $20 Thursday Special and $5 Thursdays and Fridays for students 18 and under with ID. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-834-4001 or info@burningcoal.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: Burning Coal Theatre Company. Kurt Benrud's Triangle Review Review Permalink.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Dani Daniela is a dynamic content creator, writer, facilitator, and podcast host whose work focuses on self-awareness, faith identity, and meaningful conversations. She blends everyday experiences with the arts to spark thoughtful dialogue and inspire personal breakthroughs. Her mission is to connect people through storytelling and creative expression, fostering community and deeper understanding. Dani is the host of EarthXperiences, a podcast in which she explores questions about faith journeys and mindset with other content creators and thought leaders, creating space for honest dialogue and fresh perspectives. She has co-written the web series Urk My Nerves and served as a contributing play reviewer for RDU on Stage. Dani is also the author of Ma, What's Investing?, a children's book promoting financial literacy, and Brown Girl All CULT Up, a personal exploration of her experiences with religion and self-discovery. Through her writing and workshops, Dani promotes self-awareness, mindfulness, and the use of thoughtful questions to help individuals explore their relationship with themselves and the ideas or people that shape their thinking. Her sessions encourage intentional decision-making and personal growth through reflective dialogue and critical inquiry. Her academic background in Family Science deeply informs her approach to both writing and facilitation. Dani has contributed to Carolina Playwrights Lab as a panelist, bringing her expertise to conversations around cultural identity, faith exploration, and the audience experience. As a proud mother of three, Dani draws inspiration from the lessons of parenthood, infusing her work with empathy and practical insight. Whether reviewing art, hosting panels, or leading workshops, Dani's goal is to inspire reflection and help people explore the intersections between creativity, faith, and everyday life. Through her mindful analysis as a reviewer, she uncovers new ways for us to connect, encouraging thoughtful engagement and deeper conversations that resonate long after the experience. Click here to read Dani Daniela's reviews for Triangle Review. |
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