The cast of Big Tree, Small Axe includes Volier Johnson, Deon Silvera, Dennis Titus, Lakeisha Ellison, and Gracia Thompson. It will run from Wednesdays to Fridays at 8 p.m. and on Sundays at 6 p.m.

Based on a riveting true story, Big Tree, Small Axe portrays a woman’s struggle to come to terms with her spouse’s manipulative web of deceit and her own deeply hidden childhood secret … more here

In JUDGEMENT she does not disappoint as she delivers more than the goods, and in the process has earned kudos from critics and audiences alike. Silvera is a veteran of her craft, having been featured in approximately 40 stage productions. These include 4 National Pantomimes and major hits such as Irie Neighbours, Single Entry, Jamaica 2 Rahtid, Front Room, What the Hell is Happening to Us Dear?, The Last Stand, When the Cat’s Away, Bashment Granny 2 and Serious Business.

Silvera copped the award for Actress in a lead Role for her outstanding work in Ecstasy, for which she recently wrapped up performances in North America. She has several sitcoms, television and radio commercials as well as movie appearances under her belt, and has recently been sharing her talent as a Speech and Drama teacher at Rousseau Primary. The school has won several national gold and trophy awards at the JCDC’s Speech Festival.

In JUDGEMENT, Silvera plays the naïve but no-nonsense Janet Smith, a hardworking registered nurse living in New York. Seeking companionship, she resorts to online dating where she finds Antonio (Andre Morris), whom she believes is the man of her dreams. Unknown to Janet, Antonio’s real identity is Richard Thompson, and he is simply using her to exact revenge on her best friend Sasha baker (Dahlia Harris) with whom she shares a dark past. JUDGEMENT is a startling examination of love, friendship, revenge and self-preservation and is a highly engaging mix of gripping drama with large splashes of comedic relief.

Written and directed by Dahlia Harris, JUDGEMENT plays at the Pantry Playhouse on 2 Dumfries Road on Wednesday to Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 6:00 p.m.

Silvera has appeared in scores of theatrical productions to date, including several LTM Pantomimes, and has also starred in sitcoms and major films. Recently, she appeared in a series of popular theatre productions namely Below the Waist, Bashment Granny 2 and Serious Business. For her, this experience has helped to broaden her stagecraft … more here

Set in New York, Judgement looks at how the decisions we make always come back to haunt us, and how the people we love often suffer the consequences. Written by Dahlia Harris who is also a featured cast member along with Deon Silvera, and André Morris, Judgement is being staged by DMH Productions. Judgement is the third production for DMH Productions, following Hurricane Lovers and Family Affair. It is directed by Michael Nicholson.

Judgement will play on Monday, December 27 at 6 p.m. then from Tuesday until Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Regular scheduling then commences with showtimes each week, Wednesday to Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 6 p.m.

For more information or for details about benefit performances, bookings and ticket reservations, please call 960-9845 or 352-6180.

In New York, popular dancehall/reggae promoters Irish & Chin, will be bringing Serious Business to Brooklyn (Tilden High School, doors open at 7:00 pm/showtime 8:00 pm) and Queens (York College, doors open at 7:00 pm/showtime 8:00 pm) on June 5 and June 6, 2010. By popular demand, a New Jersey staging of Serious Business will take place on Saturday, June 26 in East Orange at the Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts (showtime 7:00 PM).

Serious Business plays in Toronto, from May 28-30. It will play on Friday, May 28, 8 p.m. at the Jamaican Canadian Association’s centre; in Scarborough on Saturday, May 29, 8 p.m., at Sir John A Macdonald Collegiate and on Sunday, May 30, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Speranza Banquet Hall.

For more information about Serious Business, click here.

Directed by Michael Nicholson, “Serious Business” stars Keith ‘Shebada’ Ramsay, Maxwell Grant, Volier Johnson, Abigale Grant, Deon Silvera, Junior Williams, Wayne Newby and Pinciana Ennis.

It will play Tuesdays to Saturdays (8:30 p.m.) and on Sundays (5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.)

For more information, please telephone 926-4966 or 929-5315.

A genuine Jamaican Comedy guaranteed to keep the audience in stitches, “Like Father Like Son” boasts a star-studded, vibrant cast which includes the immensely popular Keith “Shebada” Ramsay, Maxwell “Maama Man” Grant, Garfield “Badboy Trevor” Reid, Deon Silvera, Abigail “Babalita” Grant, Stede “Jooky Jam” Flash, Dainty “Angel” Bellanfonte, Shemane Wisdom and Felisha Lord.

“Like Father Like Son” is hyper-juiced with laughter from start to finish, spiced with original music and filled with energetic performances. The storyline trails the similarities between Mr. Eviction and his two sons; Trevor and Jooky Jam. Trevor is an ambitious producer who compromises his professional obligations through his love triangle with his lyricist and female artists. This tangled web thrusts Trevor into a business disaster and social upheaval. Meanwhile, Jooky Jam’s “mile high” exploits may have brought his days as a commercial pilot to an abrupt end. All the while, Daddy Eviction faces retirement and needs someone to take over his wholesale grocery business. The character who Daddy Eviction brings in to help gets much more than he ever imagined.

Written and Directed by Paul O. Beale of the “Unda Mi Nose” series, “Granny Rule” and the “Maama Man” series, “Like Father Like Son” has been praised by some as Beale’s best work to date. For fans of Jamaican theatre in the tri-State area, this one is not to be missed. Check out the flyer below.

The final showing of the play Bashment Granny was held at the Delta Hotel in Scarborough, and had hundreds of eager patrons ready for the main act. Greeted by hundreds of fans, Shebada entered the stage receiving thunderous applause, whistles, cheers and people jumping out of their seats which took some time to bring under control.

Keith ‘Shebada’ Ramsay couldn’t help but slip a little smile while the loud applause continued. Having been an actor for several years, the star of the play said “It’s nice to see that level of emotion from fans!”

Maxwell Grant aka Mr. Bashment, Volier Johnson aka Counsel Bertram, Deon Silvera aka Gloria, Abigail Grant aka Babalita and Junior Williams aka Half-a-Dog were also welcomed with loud applause from fans who deemed the cast to be friends they hadn’t seen in a little while.

Acted to a witty script, Bashment Granny 2 continued where part one left off, which saw Half-a-Dog in search of his $12 million. Using excellent segments which included crowd participation, Mr. Bashment was also a favourite as he instructed Babalita, the new bar staff during her interview, that she was “done, finished, ova, tru di door” which the audience happily assisted with. After a quick turnaround in understanding, Babalita gets the job as bar staff, and Mr. Bashment gives her advice on which customers go for the “bottom shelf, middle shelf and top shelf”, which again was delivered with full audience participation.

After a play, a procession of fans lined the backstage area, hoping to take pictures, and get autographs from the play’s actors. One patron even tried to distract the security personnel in the hopes of slipping backstage to see the actors.

The play is picked up where the story left off in Bashment Granny; that same twelve million dollar mystery. Half-A-Dog (Junior Williams), is the owner of the money, and he wants to collect his money fast. Mr. Bashment (Maxwell Grant) and Shebada (Keith Ramsay) are the custodians of the cash and they have no intention of giving it back, because too much has been invested in lounge jointly owed by Bashment and Shebada. While Mr. Bashment runs the bar, Shebada lives the daily excitement as an officer of the law. Business is going good and plans are afoot for expansion. However, within this shinny outlook lays the determination of Half-A-Dog (Junior Williams). His arrival in Jamaica sits on one main objective; to retrieve his cash at all cost. The place is then turned upside down as Mr. Bashment and Shebada try to keep the dog from his “Bone”.

The dog’s tactical romantic connection with Mr. Bashment’s bartender, Barbalita (Abigail Grant) made life more complicated for Shebada and Bashment as they struggle to hide the money. In the meantime, Shebada’s indiscretion with his firearm brought him a day in court and he employs the services of noted Ghetto Lawyer Bertram (Volier Johnson) who is trying hard to prevent his domineering wife Gloria (Deon Silvera) from serving divorce papers. The side show between Gloria and Bertram served as a delightful subplot to the issue of the Dog’s millions. Based off what I have seen in this exciting sequel, Bashment Granny 3 (the future) will be a clash between bad Boy Trevor, Shebada, Mr. Bashment and Half-A-Dog.

After his role in ‘Di Driver’, it was refreshing to see Shebada playing a brand new character in bashment Granny 2. As a less-than-honourable officer, his portrayal came off well and is extremely funny. Barbalita as the bartender, shows that she can speak and speak well (she is somewhat muted in Bashment Granny). Maxwell Grant is amazing, he plays 5 characters and he came off excellently with all of them. At 60-something years, he shows no sign of slowing down. Junior Williams as Half-A-Dog fits well in the story and with the team of actors. Bashment Granny 2 is big on comedy, big on excitement and should be very interesting to see how it measures up to its predecessor when it goes to the country.