Aloma Wright
Richard Gant
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Social media causes a rift between an elderly couple in play
wright Kosmond Russell's "The Dealership."
Set in a rural community along the Mississippi Delta, the play's
main characters are in their 80s and in a decades-long union that is
threatened when the Mrs. suspects that her hubby is
creepin'.
The impetus of her incertitude is his sudden
interest in popular social media sites. \
"Birds Tweet not Old Men! If he tweetin' he Must
be Cheatin"! I think that Facebookin' and tweetin' got
my husband possessed ... he needs an exorcism!" she
proclaims.
But the gentleman's social media connectivity
doesn't yield romance, but a connection with an auto
dealer who has a secret he has held for years, a secret
he must reveal to the couple.
"The Dealership," directed by Adleane Hunter and
presented by Los Angeles-based Kosmond Russell
Productions, has been hailed for its comic genius.
Russell is a NAACP Theatre Award winner who has a
reputation for showing audiences a good time. The
play also has star power that won't disappoint.
The cast is headed by screen legends Richard Gant
and Aloma Wright (who also serves as a producer).
His credits include "Rocky V." "The Nutty Professor
2," Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday" and. on the
small screen, "Men of a Certain Age." She played the
wise-cracking Laverne Roberts on "Scrubs" and
turned in memorable roles in the films "Bring It On,"
"Kingdom Come," "Mr. Deeds" and "Johnson Family
Vacation."
The cast is rounded out by actor/singer Bill Lee
Brown, whose extensive resume includes co-starring
roles on "Criminal Minds," "Malcolm in the Middle"
and "Judging Amy;" Baadja-Lyne, whose many small screen credits
include roles on "American Dreams." "The Shield," "2 Broke Girls"
and "Lincoln Heights;" and Donald Agnelli, who has starred on
"General Hospital," "Castle" and "Criminal Minds."
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Hawthorne James
The
'Homecoming
While Kosmond Russell Production's "The Dealership" promises
to tickle your funny bone, the play's companion piece. "The
Homecoming," will tug at your heart strings.
"The Homecoming" centers around Nathaniel, who returns home
after abandoning his family 25 years ago. The funeral of a loved one
is the reason for his reappearance.
He is confronted by a daughter he barely knows. He disappeared
wiicii mic wa> uiuy live, 5lie in now a \uung
woman. He begs for forgiveness and understand
ing. but she wants answers.
Are there justifiable reasons for a parent to
abandon his or her family? "The Homecoming"
explores that question and much more.
Chicago native Hawthorne James plays
Nathaniel. The distinctive-looking actor is wide
ly known for his roles as Big Red Davis in "The
Five Heartbeats," Sam. the bus driver, in the box
office smash "Speed" and One Eyed Sam in "I'm
3onna Git You Sucka."
Toledo. Ohio native Tiffany Adams plays
Nathaniel's daughter. Her stage and screen cred
ts are immense and include the roles of the Lady
n Blue in the Washington Playhouse's "For Colored Girls ..." and
Venus in Ted Lange's "George Washington's Boy." Adams founded
Cynosure Productions, co-producing her first feature-length film -
'Xander Cohen" - in 2009.
Russell's play is directed by Denise Dowse, a veteran actress,
lirector and longtime National Black Theatre Festival presence.
Dowse had a recurring role on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "The
Duardian." She has also turned in signature roles on "Girlfriends,"
'All of Us," "Charmed" and "Criminal Minds."
Dowse won a NAACP Theatre Award for her 1995 directing debut,
'Long Time Since Yesterday." Many more NAACP Awards have come
once, including another Best Director honor for Malcolm Jamal
Warner's "Love & Other Social Issues."
Adams