By Lorrie Irby Jackson – Reporter
What happens when you mix deferred ambitions, bitter hearts, stubbornness and the seven-year-itch? It sounds like the makings of a salacious reality show, but it’s actually the chief components of playwright Je’Caryous Johnson’s latest hit production, Cheaper to Keep Her.
Je’Caryous Johnson’s
Featuring veteran actress Vivica A. Fox (who also serves as co-producer), TV/ movie actress Essence Atkins (who’s replacing Wendy Raquel Robinson for this leg of the tour), multi-platinum musician Brian McKnight and the comedic talents of Johnathon Slocumb and Gary “G Thang” Johnson, Cheaper…. mixes married life with fun and friendship, focusing on two couples who struggle with unanswered expectations and wonder if they should move to a new lawn altogether or cultivate their own grass, so to speak.
Mr. McKnight and Ms. Fox portray Raymond and Morgan, an upper-middle-class couple who have it going on the surface, but are unfulfilled emotionally, thanks to Raymond putting his marriage on the back burner to develop his family practice and expecting Morgan to shelve her goals and desires altogether. A stay-at-home wife who wants to open her own dance studio and become a mother, Morgan feels that continuing to acquiesce to her husband is the way to go, but her sanctified sister, Rochelle (Jammie Patton) and her boisterous, bitter-about-the-brothers cousin, Karen (Ms. Atkins), both urge her to take charge of her life and relationship.
Meanwhile, Raymond receives conflicting counsel from his brother-in-law Aston (Mr. Slocum) and his lawyer and golf buddy, Joey (G Thang), which leads to disastrous and cash-depleting consequences. But as Aston and Rochelle offer advice, they’re on a collision course themselves, thanks to Rochelle’s loose interpretations of the Bible and Aston’s insisting on re-enacting outdated husband/wife roles.
Like his other lauded plays, Cheaper… is soulful, moves briskly and is punctuated with witty dialogue and healthy doses of singing, handled by Morgan’s childhood sweetheart, Eddie (Christian Keyes) and of course, the golden-throated Mr. McKnight, who punctuates scenes with verses from his biggest hits and illicit constant screams of ecstasy from the ladies in the house.
Ms. Fox may surprise many by displaying her funny bone and sister-girl-next-door side, and G Thang, along with Ms. Atkins, are outright show stealers. His over-the-top physical antics and delivery kept folks cracking up, as well as her refusal to let another man into her life after a broken heart, peppered with caustic cut -downs and comebacks(“All I want from life is billions, bullets and batteries!”). She doesn’t exactly swing any golf clubs around, but when this sister does take aim with her weapon of choice, the results are just as shattering!
Wrapping up its Dallas stint on Sunday, Cheaper… does suspend reality at times and leaves a few loose ends, but is well-worth the time and money. For those who are married, they are compelled to examine their bond more closely, and for those who are gun-shy (pun intended) about starting anew, they may feel the need to forgive and explore new options in life and love.
TBAAL Presents: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Cheaper to Keep Her
Bruton Theatre, 650 S Griffin St. Dallas, Texas 75270
Fri, 7th – 8:00PM
Sat, 8th – 2:00PM & 8:00PM
Sun, 9th – 3:00PM & 7:30PM
Contact 214-743-2400 or go to ticketmaster.com for ticket information.
Lorrie Irby Jackson is a freelance journalist based in Dallas and has covered entertainment professionally for several years, writing many articles for The Dallas Morning News. Her e-mail address is lorrie@dallassouthnews.org
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