play preview

Original play 'Give Me 1 Reason' coming to Lydia Mendelssohn

By Jenn McKee Entertainment Reporter

Posted on Tue, May 1, 2012 : 5:59 a.m.

RonSher Brooks

A Salem-based multimedia company, Crown Productions - founded in 2005 by RonSher and William Brooks - will present the premiere of an original play, “Give Me 1 Reason,” on Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 5 at 3 and 8 p.m. at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.

The play tells the story of a family in a rut. Tommy, the father, has become a womanizer, and Dre, his son, is following in his footsteps. Meanwhile, Tommy’s daughter Danielle has closed herself off from love as a means of defense, while Theresa, her mother, works to keep everything together. When Dre is injured, family-wide changes are set in motion, and issues of adultery, addiction, and forgiveness are confronted.

PREVIEW

”Give Me 1 Reason”

Who: Crown Productions.
What: RonSher Brooks’ premiere play about forgiveness, adultery, and addiction focuses on a family in a rut - but an injury soon sparks change.
Where: Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 N. University.
When: Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 5 at 3 and 8 p.m.
How much: $20-$25 for evening performances, $15-$20 for the matinee. GiveMe1Reason.webs.com.

“Being a divorcee myself, I had to take an honest look at why my first marriage broke down so that I would not make the same mistakes again,” said RonSher Brooks, who wrote the play. “Now I want to share those lessons learned with others and hopefully keep them from this same fate. And for those who have divorced, I want to share with them the power of forgiveness in order to move on and rebuild.”

The cast includes DJuana Morton, Ashanti Edwards, Vincent “JKelz” Kelley, Darrius “DW” Bass, Mia Dia, Conrad Johnston, Trische’ Duckworth, Andre Jackson Jr., and Jackie Lynn.

Another Brooks play, “Which Way Is Up?” was previously produced at Washtenaw Community College, and she hopes to bring more of her works to local stages.

“Our life is simply one dynamic story after another,” said Brooks. “I am so honored that I get to share mine with the world.”

Tags: theater

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Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.