‘Dance on Widow’s Row’ delights audiences…again

New Horizon Theater, Inc. ends its 23rd season with the hilarious romantic comedy, “The Dance on Widow’s Row.”
Written by Tony and Emmy nominated playwright, Samm-Art Williams, “The Dance on Widow’s Row” is set in Port Town, N.C. where four widow’s live on the same street. The ladies have buried nine husbands between them and while they still have some middle-aged charms—and a whole lot of desire-finding dates is problematic because the town’s male population are understandably skittish about the risk of association to their reputations and their lives. Magnolia Ellis decides to host a gathering to help remedy the women’s loneliness by inviting three of the town’s eligible gentlemen. The men cautiously show up and the evening becomes a laughter-filled affair.
The show runs until June 14 at the Carnegie Library of Homewood located at 7101 Hamilton Avenue. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.newhorizontheater.org, calling 412-431-0773 or visiting Dorsey’s Records on Frankstown Avenue.
The production is funded in part by grants from Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Program partnership of The Pittsburgh Foundation and the Heinz Endowment, Allegheny Regional Asset District, Chris Moore Communications, Inc. and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.
“We first did this play in 2003,” explained New Horizon Chairperson, Joyce Meggerson-Moore.

 
“We love Samm-Art Williams and we love this play. The playwright is easy to work with and we love this brand of comedy.”
The element of funny and being able to work with a great cast are some of the reasons that Linda Haston (Magnolia Ellis), Camille Lowman (Annie Talbot), Brenda Marks (Lois Miller) wanted to be a part of the cast again this time around.
In addition to the returning cast, “The Dance on Widows Row” also stars Leslie Howard as the doomed Randolph Spears and Karla Payne as the not-so-famous actress Simone “Simi” Jackson and Art Terry as wingman Newly Benson.
“When I found out that New Horizon was doing the play again, I told Eileeen Morris (the play’s director) that I had to be in it again,” said Camille Lowman who reprised her role as the Bible toting turned sex kitten Annie Talbot. “In 2003, I played Annie more reserved but this time she is a little more wild. She really wants to be true to herself. My message through this character is that I want people to be true to who they are and not be apologetic about that.”
Haston an actress, singer, dancer, director and teaching artist from Pittsburgh who portrays Magnolia Ellis, agreed with Lowman.
“It is such a good play and the roles fit all of us,” Haston said. “I can be bossy in real life and I like to plan things. I love live theater because anything can happen and everyone in the cast has your back.”
Charles Timbers Jr., who plays Deacon Hudson, Magnolia’s love interest, said he drew on his close relationship with his own church, Full Life Deliverance Ministries in Beltzhoover, to help him bring the deacon to life.
 

 
“I’m on the pastor’s board and on the praise and worship team at the church,” said Timbers who has performed in more than 40 theatrical productions in Pittsburgh over more than 30 years.
“It was natural for me to play this role and it was lots of fun and the cast is very cohesive.”
“This is the most fun we’ve had in a show because we’re having a ball during the whole rehearsal process and sometimes we can’t get through rehearsal without laughing,” said Howard who began his acting career for the prestigious D.C. Black Repertory Company, founded by famous actor Robert Hooks. “It’s such a joy to see the audience leave with smiles on their faces. There’s a lot going on in the world right now and it’s good to help people let go of that for a while.”
Former artistic director for Kuntu Repertory Theater, Eileen J, Morris was happy to step back as director for “The Dance on Widows Row.”
“In 2003 I directed New Horizon Theater’s production and 12 years later I am blessed to be directing it again,” Morris said. “So as you watch this play, please observe that these widows all took a chance to make their lives a bit better by incorporating someone else into it. They drank, laughed, felt sexual energy and weren’t afraid to show it.”
 
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