The cast of Gea Pierre's "Crazy Love" is bringing the Grand Bahama cult hit stage play to New Providence with three shows, tonight through Sunday at The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts. (Photo: Gea Pierre)
After three weekends of soca hysteria, it's time to settle down, and have your funny bone tickled with two different stage plays on two different weekends. First up, Gea Pierre will bring the cult hit madness that is "Crazy Love" to New Providence for the first time; and James Catalyn and Friends will present the decades lost script of "I Stand Alone".
After seven sold out shows in Grand Bahama, the crazy has descended on the capital. And you should only attend if you can handle the crazy, but forget all that. You should ensure that you are present because you don't want to miss all the crazy from the crazy crew.
Gea Pierre's play "Crazy Love" will be an amazing ride as it takes you through all the intricacies that come with falling in love.
"Crazy Love is a play about love and the kind of things that develop or transpire when people are in love. It's a little eccentric, a little off-balance, and for all generations. You get to see the beginning stages of love from the early 20s on up.
"We deal with love. We deal with divorce. We deal with infidelity... miscommunication -- everything that could go wrong in love. It's very humorous, young and kind of fresh," said Pierre, the playwright and producer.
The play takes to The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts stage tonight through Sunday with 8 p.m. curtain times, except for Sunday when the curtains go up at 6 p.m.
After seven sold out Grand Bahama shows, and which has produced almost a cult-like following, Pierre said she's excited to bring the crazy to New Providence.
"It's going to be a good laugh, a good ride, and take you down memory lane," she said. "It's going to be an amazing ride, and you will feel like you can't get enough."
She wants you to ensure that you attend to find out what all the fuss is about.
The play, directed by Patrice Johnson is expected to run about two hours, but Pierre says it won't feel like it, as the audience will be in stitches.
"Crazy Love" is Pierre's 15th play. She started writing plays at the age of 15 after being challenged to pen one. The poetry writer accepted the challenge, rose to it and loved it. She never looked back.
"I love to represent Bahamians on stage. I consider it an honor," said Pierre. "Crazy Love" has also been nominated for a Bahamian Icon Award nomination in the "Live Entertainment Ensemble" category.
"Crazy Love" tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door and can be purchased at the Dundas box office.
Catalyn with a difference
Taking in all the crazy this weekend will all be in preparation for next weekend when James Catalyn & Friends comes to the stage showcasing Catalyn with a difference in "I Stand Alone" -- The lost script.
"I Stand Alone" is a stage play that Catalyn penned back in the late 1960s during his early poetry days. It is written in Standard English (before he embarked on Bahamianese) and takes a serious look at a young man who is depressed and thinks that everybody and the world is against him. The young man was his own worst enemy, and even though his friends extended a helping hand, he did not feel up to it to take a hold.
Catalyn says the play is interesting and thought provoking.
"So many young people in this present day feel dejected and rejected and all alone. Jobs are hard to find and if they are lucky and are working, their peers and supervisors in most cases seem to hinder their advancement. They question their self worth. Many don't have a listening and understanding ear and the feel all alone in their plight, sinking deeper and deeper into despair. They are looking for and hoping for a brighter tomorrow. Some friends will continue to regale you, while true, meaningful friends will support and encourage. You come to the realization that you must do it for yourself. No one can do it for you," said Catalyn.
The "I Stand Alone" script has been dormant for many decades. Catalyn says there were only two copies -- the original, which he misplaced years ago, and a copy he had given to his friend Louis W.A. Hanchell to read years ago. Catalyn said he thought it was lost forever, until December 2015 when Hanchell was clearing out old papers and documents that he came across the play and returned it to Catalyn.
The famous playwright presented the script to the executive team of James Catalyn & Friends and they agreed to present it as their 2016 spring production.
Valerie Pinder-Lynes and Antoinette Knowles will make their debut as director and assistant director of the production of this lost play.
Cast members are Sony-Jean Jacques as Paul, Brentwood Thompson, Jr. as Jack, Shornelle Nesbitt as Margaret, Stephanie Braynen as Sandy, Trevann Thompson as Agnes and Lemorn Miller as Greg."I am proud to have this play finally staged and pray you, our loyal supporters and fans will be there to witness and enjoy another side of JamesCatalyn & Friends. This is Catalyn with a difference," said Catalyn.
The premiere performances of "I Stand Alone" will be staged at The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, May 26-28 with curtains going up at 8 p.m. nightly.
Tickets are $25 and are available at the Dundas box office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
CRAZY LOVE
When: May 20-22
Where: Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts
Time: 8 p.m. nightly, except Sunday when curtains go up at 6 p.m.
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Box office: Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts
I STAND ALONE
When: May 26-28
Where: Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts
Time: 8 p.m. nightly
Tickets: $25 at the Dundas box office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
Shavaughn Moss, Guardian Lifestyles Editor
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