A fresh, inspirational spin on love, betrayal, and secrets; imperfect love hits the stage

BY SIMOME J. SMITH

Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion, and people have different expectations, desires, and experiences when it comes to love. The concept of perfect love is subjective and can vary from person to person. What one person may consider perfect love, another may not.

There are people who believe in the idea of “perfect love,” which often includes elements like: deep emotional connection, trust, compatibility, and lasting commitment. However, it’s important to recognize that no relationship, or love is flawless. All relationships have their ups and downs, and people are imperfect beings, which means that conflicts and challenges are a natural part of any relationship.

In saying this, there is something about love that we are addicted to: the drama, the lust, the craving; it is even better when we are seeing it play out in front of us. I am excited to let the community know about the stage play “IMPERFECT LOVE.” hits the stage once again with even more excitement, drama, and outrageous laughter! With a fresh, inspirational spin on love, betrayal, and secrets, Imperfect Love is a unique romantic comedy that tackles the complexity and quirks of human relationships, with a faith-based element.

Written and produced by Pauline White, and directed by Nicole R. White, this mother-daughter duo has a story to tell and aspires to highlight blacks in Canadian theatre. With an all-woman managerial team, Reel Gem Productions also supports Black women in theatre, as well as showcasing a wide range of multi-talented actors across the GTA.

I met Pauline White at the IBDFF Gala Awards in July, and we spoke briefly about some of the things that she was doing in the community. She told me she had written and produce a stage play titled, “IMPERFECT LOVE,” which will be on stage September 22^nd, 2023, in Partnership with TINFF+ CBDFM Summit, at York Woods Theatre.

Pauline White is the founder of Reel Gem Theatre Productions (RGTP), a new community-based company that believes performing arts should have a prominent place in every community. “Our shows will stand out with authenticity, creativity, and uniqueness and we are committed to bringing a rewarding theatrical experience for audiences,” Pauline shares.

As an African-Caribbean playwright and producer, Pauline strives to improve the experiences and opportunities in theatrical entertainment for a new generation. Her goal is to provide a platform for aspiring local minority actors/actresses to find success in this industry. She strongly believes that our community is our strength, and with her encore presentation, IMPERFECT LOVE, she hopes to enrich Toronto’s theatre community.

Her daughter Nicole R. White has years of experience in the performing arts stemming from a young age. She is a: playwright, director, producer, and founded the theatrical company Court Jester Presents in the early 2000s. Nicole is also an award-winning author of the novel “Destiny Love Jones – Sisters and the Plight with Boys.” Her other passion is advocating for women, children and racial equality as she champions for special causes.

When I spoke with Pauline last week, she shared her excitement with me. “There is love, it is God’s perfect love. We all need one another; we have to take care of each other. People are quick to destroy you and take you out.

After my relationship ended, I had time to do some things for myself. I began seeking God, to find that love that I felt was meant for me. I was inspired to write “Finding Refuge in the Word of God,” in 2019. It did get published, and I saw my book all over the world, but I wasn’t receiving any money for it. I ended the contract with the publisher and took back the rights for the book. I was able to sell a couple independently.

With all that was going on in my life, I began to write. I also wrote “For Better, or For Worse.” I am inspired by life, by my learned experiences.

My mom did a lot of stage plays and she acted as Jimmy Cliff’s mom in “Harder they Come.” I think that I get most of my traits from my mother. I see so many people hurting from their relationships, and I would speak to people and hear their experiences. As I started writing, I would see the pictures in my head. It took me three weeks to finish it, and it ended up being 120 pages. I had to cut it into two acts.

People who have seen it love it; they had so much to say.  It is a powerful love story. The play is about love, and in love, things do happen, but God’s perfect love can make a difference.”