 "Photo: Chriss Hess/Echo staff photographer")
Last Friday N.C. Central welcomed the romantic comical production from North Carolina native Samm-Art Williams, “The Dance on Widow’s Row.”
Williams is best known for writing on such television hits as “Martin,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.”
Directed by Kenneth Hinton, an adjunct professor of drama at NCCU, this production is part of a series of events scheduled for Black History Month during the N. C. Central University centennial year celebration.
Actors Rachel Smith, Ashley Chestang, Tara-Whitney Rison, Johnanna Burwell, Corwin Evans, Yuri Brown and Malcolm Green complete the comical cast of seven.
“The Dance on Widow’s Row” focuses on four widows whose husbands all have met untimely deaths from suspicious circumstances, such as cut brake lines and food poisoning.
Four wealthy widows in their mid-40s from the fictional Port Town neighborhood invite four eligible bachelors from the area for a quadruple date, resulting in amusing banter, the women hoping to find mister right.
After already burying a total of nine husbands, the women try to keep the dates under wraps, knowing that neighbors will tell all.
The widows in the sotrywere “basically getting rich from insurance companies,” said Corwin Evans, theater senior.
Though the play is full of amusement, rehearsing for and acting in the show requires hard work and preparation.
“The process time varies,” said theater junior Yuri Brown.
“It can take up to the time of the show, but usually four to six weeks.”
“This is a challenge for the student actors, to play older men and women,” said Hinton.
“That’s part of why I wanted to bring this production to NCCU.”
Hinton is confident that the students are more than up for the challenge of aging themselves by 20 years or more.
The actors and actresses seemed excited and honored to work with Williams.
“It’s a blessing to be in his presence,” said Evans.
“He’s not uptight at all … very down to earth.”
“The Dance on Widow’s Row” can be seen Feb. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Farrison-Newton Communications Building Theatre.
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now