‘These Shining Lives‘ at the Curtis Theatre hlows with heartbreak, hope and history shifting the focus from gangsters to workers rights.
(lt to rt) Pearl (Magan Tran), Catherine (Emma Laird), Charlotte (Genevieve Kauper) and Frances (Shelby Perlis) in ‘These Shining Lives‘ at the Curtis Theatre.
The closing night performance of ‘These Shining Lives‘ at the Curtis Theatre in Brea, CA, was a moving and powerful experience. Directed by Amanda Hallman, the show tells the true story of four women in the 1920s and ‘30s who took jobs painting watch dials with glowing radium paint, jobs that seemed like a dream at first, but turned into a toxic nightmare. What made this production so memorable wasn’t just the story, but the care and detail poured into every performance and every design element.
At the center of the play is Catherine Donohue, played by Emma Laird in a performance that was absolutely heartbreaking. Laird sold every movement, every ache, every pain, and every quiet struggle that led up to Catherine’s diagnosis. As she shifted from narrator to participant, her performance never once lost its clarity or emotional weight. You felt her joy, her confusion, her fear—and in the end, her quiet determination to speak the truth, even as her time ran out.
The chemistry between the four women felt as if the actresses were lifelong friends. Genevieve Kauper’ Charlott was tough, sassy and witty; think a chocolate covered marshmallow, a tough exterior but soft and mushy on the inside. Magan Tran’s Pearl was sweet, lively and full of bad jokes. Shelby Perlis’ Frances grounded the foursome as her morality shifted depending on her interactions. Each woman brought her own je ne sais quoi to the performance. Their scenes together are full of laughter, teasing, and honest conversation, making their slow decline all the more painful to watch. These friendships were the soul of the show, and the actresses brought them to life with complete sincerity.
The men in the cast brought depth as well. Spike Pulice who plays Dr. Dalitsch, the Chicago physician that diagnoses the ladies with radium poisoning and Tom Donohue, Catherine’s husband, had a touching arc from feeling insecure about his wife’s job to becoming her biggest supporter. His care for her in the second half of the play felt totally genuine. Brian Fichner, who plays Dr. Roundtree, Mr. Reed, and Leo Grossman, added weight to the conflict, showing both the coldness of the system and the rare kindness of those who dared to help.
Visually, the production was full of smart, subtle touches that added even more layers to the story. A beautiful touch by Scenic Designer Colin Lawrence was the moon projected above the stage. It started as a full moon when the women were healthy and full of hope, and gradually faded into a thin, waxing crescent as their health declined, an elegant and emotional symbol of what was being lost. Another standout moment was the shadow of waves projected on the floor when the women visited Lake Michigan, giving the scene a dreamlike calm that stood in contrast to the rest of the story. The large painted clock on the factory floor was another powerful visual, reminding us that time was always ticking for these women.
Kristofer Kataoka’s sound design and Thor Fay’s audio engineering did a wonderful job of setting the time period; everything from the ambiance to the transitions made us feel like we had truly stepped back a hundred years. And Sara Amaya’s costume design was spot-on. Every outfit, accessory, and fabric choice helped bring the 1920s and 1930s to life without ever feeling forced.
Director Amanda Hallman clearly had a strong vision and deep respect for the material. The pacing, tone, and emotional beats were handled with care, and the final scene, where Catherine, near death, tells us how she won her case seven times, including at the Supreme Court, was both uplifting and devastating. It’s a moment that will stick with you long after the lights come up.
‘These Shining Lives‘ is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much people like Catherine Donohue gave to get us here. This production did justice to their story with heart, talent, and unforgettable visuals. A brilliant and moving night of theatre.
Summary
‘These Shining Lives‘ at the Curtis Theatre is a powerful, beautifully staged production that tells the true story of four women who unknowingly suffered from radium poisoning while working in a 1920s watch factory. It’s a moving tribute to resilience, friendship, and the fight for justice.
