Kellita Smith of “The Bernie Mac Show” Takes to the Stage in a Powerful New Play

June 15, 2009 - PRLog -- “Don’t get it twisted. I’m not the same woman you knew twenty years ago,” declares Samantha Cooke, played by Kellita Smith in “One Woman, Two Lives” making it’s world debut July 17, 2009 at The Imagined Life Theater (formerly 2100 Square Feet).

In “One Woman, Two Lives” the strikingly beautiful Smith, (“The Bernie Mac Show,”  “King’s Ransom”, “Three Can Play that Game”, Best Supporting Actress NAACP Theater Award Winner - “Feelings”)  magnificently portrays Samantha Cooke, a complex and conflicted woman torn between two worlds fighting to sustain and protect her family from a past that threatens to undermine her almost perfect present.  Married to Jonathan, a successful mega preacher, portrayed by an equally talented Thomas Bell (“Cupids Arrow”, “The Message”), Samantha has been voted First Lady of the Year.  However, the accolade causes the mother of three to doubt herself and her worthiness. In spite of  receiving encouragement from her family and neighbors, Michael portrayed by Sammie Wayne and Belinda, portrayed by Karen Malina White (“Cosbys,” “A Different World” and “Malcolm and Eddie”), Samantha can’t seem to shake the uneasiness that has begun to envelop her.  As the play takes on surprising and startling twists and turns, her doubts and worries unfortunately become warranted.

Three time NAACP Best Director Image Award recipient Denise Dowse is the director of this intriguing and ground breaking stage play.  No stranger to taking the written word from the page to stage in creative and talented fashion, Dowse, a veteran actress, (“Ray”, “Coach Carter”) elicits beautiful and memorable performances from this ensemble cast which also stars veteran and award winning actors Esther Scott (“You Got Served”, “Dreamgirls”, The Geena Davis Show”) who plays the outspoken mother-in-law Edna, Billy Mayo (“Desperate Housewives”, “The Traveler”) who plays a deliciously duplicitous Melvin Foster and also features child actors Diamond Summers, Sarah Nanko, Lavaunte Jackson and Evan Thurman.  

“One Woman, Two Lives,” is written by Alretha Thomas who has penned several other plays produced in the Los Angeles area including NAACP Theatre Award winning play Civil Rites (2004), A Shrine to Junior (2002) nominated for an NAACP Theatre Award as well, Grandpa’s Truth (2006), Sacrificing Simone (2007) and her first novel “Daughter Denied.”

Performances of  “One Woman, Two Lives,” on Friday’s and Saturday’s are at 8pm. Sunday performances are at 3pm; from July 17 through August 23, 2009 at the Imagined Life Theatre, (formerly 2100 Sq Ft) located at 5615 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90019. General admission tickets are $25.00. For reservations, group sales and more information regarding “One Woman, Two Lives” produced by Diverse Arts Collective, please call 626-858-1907 and or go to www.Onewomantwolives.com. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketweb.com and or by calling 866-468-3399. Tickets can also be purchased at the door (cash only please).