Scheduled to open on December 27 at the Pantry Playhouse on Dumfries Road, the show revives the delightful chemistry between Deon Silvera and Dahlia Harris while Ghett’a Life stars Chris McFarlane and Kevoy Burton, who alternates with Akeem Mignott, collaborate for the first time on stage. Back-A-Yaad is directed by actor/writer/comedian Owen Ellis, who for two decades has been an integral feature of Jamaica’s art and entertainment landscape. Ellis, a lecturer at the Edna Manley College for over 11 years, is executive producer and principal writer for the extremely popular “Ity and Fancy Cat Show”.

The producers offer that the team reflects their efforts to ensure continued quality for their audiences. “Based on our previous productions, patrons have come to expect intriguing stories, realistic characters and lasting gratification. It is important to us that we deliver on every performance and this team guarantees that”

Written by Dahlia Harris, Back-A-Yaad puts the focus on Jamaicans in the Diaspora and the necessity of their contribution to the positive development of our country and is a great way to jump start the Jamaica 50 celebrations. Back-A-Yaad is an engaging story about Jeremiah Pound who, after five decades in England, has packed his bags and sold his belongings in the hopes of a peaceful retirement in Jamaica. He’s dreamed about the lavish home on which he has spent his life savings, but finds his once upscale community now in ruin. While Jeremiah is determined to restore glory to his environs, his colourful neighbours are set on adapting him to life on the lane. Order meets chaos, commerce faces hustling, solitary tackles communal and through it all they will either have to find a way to co-exist or one side will have to permanently let go.

While the show raises important issues Harris is quick to point out that it promises to be a fun-filled family event. “My previous plays struck an even balance of comedy and drama but for Back-A-Yaad the comedy goes up full volume. Place that in the hands of the comedic genius Owen Blakka Ellis and the laughter rolls on non-stop”.

Special benefit performances will also be scheduled to assist groups with their fundraising efforts.

“As always we want to create opportunities for groups and organizations to raise funds for various activities and projects. The show is for all audiences so schools and faith based groups don’t need to worry about whether or not the content is appropriate” said Harris.

Information on bookings for benefit performances may be obtained by calling (876) 352-6180, or by emailing theatrejamaica09@yahoo.com

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.

Pepper resents her mother terribly for drinking, and wants her to get help to stop; but her mother denies having a ‘problem’. During her search for the ‘meaning of life’, Pepper interacts with electrifying forces that change her forever, and she is not prepared for what happens next.

As her roller coaster life unfolds, she comes face to face with situations that threaten her family and herself. Pepper’s Mother – Nikki – has her own personal demons to contend with, and is convinced that the Father Almighty has abandoned her, leaving her a very bitter woman.

Pepper’s best friend, her spoilt pal Rachel (whose parents are very wealthy) has a strong influence on Pepper. Their activities usually land them on the wrong side of the law, forcing Nikki to repeatedly warn her daughter about keeping ‘bad company’.

Nikki tries her best to spend time with her daughter but fails, as she often has to work late into the night in order to provide for them. Pepper is convinced that her mother doesn’t love her. This widens the rift that already exists between them, and leads to some explosive and hot-tempered confrontations.

Pepper can be extremely unkind to her mother, and wanted to go with her father when he left. Pepper’s Aunt Bernice (her mother’s sister) visits occasionally. She knows what Pepper and Rachel are up to and plans to put a stop to it. Aunt Bernice is not prepared to go down without a fight, and fight she does, for everyone that she loves dearly.

Second Chance is a pulsating performance, with a hugely talented cast and riveting storyline. It was written by Angie Binns, produced by Funhouse Productions and directed by David Tulloch. Second Chance‘s cast includes Denise Hunt, Dorothy Cunningham, Lawrence (Max) Woodham, Dawnette Hinds Furzer, Stephanie Hazle and Maliaka Bryce.

Second Chance plays July 17 to August 29 at the Pantry Playhouse in New Kingston. It will show Wednesday – Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday – Sunday at 7 p.m. For more information, please call 374-3650.

The Pantry Playhouse, which was founded by Karl Hart, celebrates 10 years this month. To mark this milestone, Hart has embarked on his fourth theatrical offering, Backstage … “Backstage is where the real show happens,” said Hart. “If you only knew what goes on in the backstage of a theatre, you’d maybe want to watch the show from there instead. Serious!” … more here.

In Jamaica it has always been socially acceptable to see older men with younger women, but when an older woman is seen with a younger man, terms like ‘craddle robber’ are whispered behind raised hands. Set in Kingston, the high-spirited comedy “Me And Mi Chapsie” tackles the once taboo encounters of an older woman (cougar) and her younger lover (the cub).

Everaldo Creary is a product of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival of Arts and the Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival. He is a founding member of the dub poetry ensemble “NO-MADDZ” and a member of the Jamaica Youth Theatre. He was also the 2005 recipient of the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Arts & Culture.

Everaldo played lead roles in Trevor Rhone’s drama “Positive” and also in “Smile Orange”. Theatre audiences will also remember him from Cooke’s “Country Duppy” and the “Jamaica 2 Rahtid” series. Everaldo starred as well in the television series “Me and me Kru”, and recently completed two feature films where he played leading roles. The films were “Candy Shop” and “Better Must Come”.

Supporting Creary on stage in “Me And Mi Chapsie” is an outstanding line up of some of Jamaica’s finest actors including Dahlia Harris (2007 best actress) along with Marsha Campbell, Carlene Taylor and Denar Royal. The play was directed by Michael Nicholson.

“Me And Mi Chapsie” plays Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 6 p.m.  – at The Pantry, New Kingston.

Set in Kingston, the high-spirited comedy tackles the once taboo romantic encounters of an older woman (the cougar) and her younger lover (the cub). After a failed  twenty year marriage, 50-year-old Jamaican advertising executive Marilyn, hooks up with a 22-year-old dancehall selector. Sparks fly, and they begin dating – against the advice of her friends and colleagues. Marilyn seems determined though, to prove that true love can conquer the very evident generation and class gaps.

Me & Mi Chapsie is directed by Michael Nicholson, and its cast includes 2007 best actress Dahlia Harris, Zandriann Maye (who won best supporting actress last year) along with Everaldo Creary, as well as newcomers Marsha Campbell and Danar Royal.

Me & Mi Chapsie will have its gala performance at the Pantry Playhouse on October 7 at 8:30 p.m., following which it will play Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Sundays at 6:00 p.m.

Undoubtedly one of Jamaica’s most popular and appealing comedy revues, Jamaica 2 RAHTID – PUPALICK returns with the same familiar cast. Its outstanding lineup of actors includes 2007 Best Actress Awardee, Dahlia Harris; Comedy Buss creator, Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley; Best Actor Awardee, Christopher McFarlane and; Everaldo Creary along with the effervescent Zandriann Maye.

Earlier this year, Maye copped the Actor Boy award for supporting actress for her roles in Pupalick. In addition, the play won Actor Boy statuettes for ‘Best Revue’, ‘Best Musical Score’ and ‘Best Song’.

Pupalick comes from the Jamaica 2 Rahtid series, a scintillating musical revue which takes a funny look at the country’s state of affairs. It is a pot pourri of Jamaican characters presented in a creative collection of sketches and songs covering a wide range of social, cultural and political issues of the time. There is something in this production for everyone in the family.

American newspaper critics wrote highly of this popular Jamaican play: “The brilliant cast of Jamaica 2 RAHTID – PUPALICK gave a solid performance to a sold-out audience at the Coral Spring Centre for the Performing Arts” wrote the South Florida Caribbean News.

Written by prolific playwright Aston Cooke, Jamaica 2 Rahtid is directed by Michael Nicholson. Grub Cooper of Fab 5 is responsible for the musical component, while popular choreographer – Barbara McDaniel – staged the trendy movement for the musical numbers.

Following the gala performance at the Pantry Playhouse on Emancipation Day tomorrow, Jamaica 2 RAHTID – PUPALICK will play Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Sundays at 6 p.m. Go see it!

The production, by-and-large, has an air of freshness about it. The cast does not consist of actors who are well known to most Jamaican theatregoers, except for Jerry Benzwick. And, while Baston has worn that hat of director before, writing a play is a new experience for him. It is this unique combination of ‘inexperience’ that has produced a sense of novelty. And, that might account for the playwright, who is also the producer, not asserting that the play is a comedy revue, but instead asking if it is.

Comedy Revue
And, the reply is, absolutely. Ah Soh It Goh is definitely a comedy revue, told through the experience of a young woman, played by Monique McLeod. The story unfolds through connecting motifs, each with a subtitle, such as Car Crash and Bus It Preacher.

The story begins with the woman (who is not addressed by name) waking up to the prospect of not being able to bathe due to a power cut, which results in the water being turned off.

The lack of water and electricity sets the tone for the day as the woman, now in search of food, has to wait in line at a fast food restaurant while a man (Benzwick) is being “seduced” with the top-up sales pitch by the cashier (Coleen Lewis).

The young woman’s nightmares continue. She meets in an accident that result in a trip to the hospital and the police station before finally getting to her job interview.

Everybody Business
The plot of Ah Soh It Goh is mosaic in structure. The language is comedic and has mild lewdness. The motif titled Everybody Business is hilarious and the lines were well executed by Coleen Lewis, who also gave a convincing portrayal of all the roles she played.

Other members of the cast were just as strong in their respective roles. Rudolph Tomlinson, as the elusive Ed, was great as the hustler. Noelle Kerr has shown some growth as a performer, especially in Market and Job Interview. Benzwick was excellent in all roles as well as Oniel Tobias and Andre Morris.

McLeod began weak but, as the play progressed, she grew into her role. However, the fight at the end with Ed was not very convincing. Perhaps it was a directorial decision or a weakness in the script.

Generally, Baston’s directing is a high standard, all acting areas well utilized and entrances and exits are well defined. But, it was Baston’s set design that was the most innovative and should definitely set the trend for future sets at The Pantry playhouse.

The Role of Technology
The use of technology, in the form of projected images, such as the toll road and inside of a market on a plain backdrop to create the illusion of depth, was awesome. Not only did this help to make the usual homely looking stage come alive but added another dimension to the production. Complimenting the projected images were single pieces of set, for the most part a single bed to represent the young woman’s bedroom and a chair and a table to represent the fast food restaurant.

Ah Soh It Goh is definitely worth seeing, but leave the children at home.