For the first time on the Rose E. McCoy main stage, national award-winning playwright and Jackson State University alumnus, Prince Duren, will present his new play, “Like Fine Wine.”
The playwright and director, who is also an instructor in the JSU Department of Speech and Theatre, explained that his play is about following one’s dreams and never giving up on one’s hopes and passion.
“Like Fine Wine” is a story about dreams that never die. The story revolves around Caleb “Sax” Sanders, a blue collar cab driver from Memphis, Tenn. who was once on the brink of breaking into the business as a famous jazz musician.
Life threw him a curveball and he was forced to put his dreams on hold. An old friend visits him on 50th birthday and sees a once renown musician a shell of his former self. Caleb questions whether he should pursue his once deferred dream or be content with his life and family.
“I was inspired to write this play from an episode I watched of “The Wayans Brothers”. The characters Marlon and Shawn Williams tried to reunite their father, Pops Williams, with his old group the Temptones. Pops Williams eventually did reconnect with his group and experienced a second chance to live out he dreams. That’s what this play is about,” said Duren.
“The title of the play, “Like Fine Wine,” was significant because it reminded me of the saying “it only gets better with time,” he added.
Duren hopes that audiences are educated, inspired, and fully entertained by the live band performances throughout the play.
“Not only is this play appropriate for adults but for children as well,” said Duren.
Duren admits that directing the play was challenging because sometimes he found himself getting too connected.
“I have the play arranged in my mind, how I want it done and how I want it performed, so if it is not performed the way I have it mapped out in my mind, we have to do it all over again,” he said.
Duren’s mission as a playwright is to introduce his people (African-Americans) to something different other than the same old drama. He invites audiences to come prepared for a show -stopping, music- filled, family drama.
He is also currently working on his first gospel play called “The Walls of the Church.”
“Like Fine Wine” will run from Sept. 25-29, with the first showing at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for children and senior citizens and $10 general admission. For tickets, drop by the box office in the lobby of the Rose McCoy Auditorium, Monday- Friday from 12-5p.m. or call the Box Office at (601)979-5956. Tickets are also available online: 10.14.12.245/speechandtheatre.
Chereigna Dixon contributed to this story.
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