Suffolk News-Herald

Sekenia Williams will sponsor the play &uot;4 Sisters from the South: Chapters from a Black Girl’s Life&uot; at 8 p.m. Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 in the Beautiful People Theater, located at 3237 Tyre Neck Rd., Portsmouth.

Williams, a playwright, said this production is set in the 1950s and 1960s in the South and is about four black women who grew up poor and literally had to work in the field for food and clothing. They were raised by a loving mother who was trapped in an abusive marriage.

&uot;The play also deals with the psychological effects of poverty, racism, and sexism,&uot; Williams said. &uot;It is intended for mature audiences; therefore, no one under 17 will be admitted without being accompanied by a parent because it is rated for adult language and violence.&uot;

The play tells the story of a battered woman’s life, her loves, her beliefs and a crime of passion and explores the complex subject of family love and the difficulty of communication with loved ones, and how a death can change family dynamics.

&uot;The choice of subject matter is just as compelling,&uot; he said.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door or at all DJ’s Music and Video Stores. Groups of 10 or more will receive $5 off each ticket.

The cast of 13 has Eric Wright, (Louis) and Diana Smith, (Sadie) playing leading roles as the wife and abusive husband.

Other cast members and their roles are as follows: Latonya Walker, (Mary); Tonette Choate-Wilder, (Teresa); Linda Heard, (Pam); Alexis Thompson, (Anita); Willie Robinson. (Juni); Bille Dee Wilbert, (Charlie); Todd Tetreaut, (doctor); Frances Morgan, (Nelsie); Pat Monroe, (Roberta); Charlette Moffa, (Dini) and Latoya Edwards, (bartender).

Williams is a native of Suffolk and in 1982 graduated from the former John Yeates High School. 1982. He is also an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University. He also published an autobiography

called, &uot;Soul Exposed.&uot;

His gargantuan appetite for the entertainment business includes his talent as a renowned singer, songwriter, model, actor, author, playwright, director, producer, casting director, make-up artist, fashion photographer, fashion show producer, commentator, designer, co-owner of Abasi Bomani, stylish, music video director, TV and radio talk show host, agent, manager, owner and director of Beautiful People Model Talent and Casting Agency Ltd. and the Beautiful People Theater which he purchased in 1999.

He co-starred in &uot;Nothing to Lose&uot; which he said is the fourth most-rented video in the country at Blockbuster Video. Williams is running on Show-Time Cable Network and most recently cast and co-starred in &uot;For Real&uot; a Tim Reid Film scheduled to be released this summer.

Other future activities being sponsored by Sekenia Williams’ Beautiful People Players are &uot;Ode To Beautiful People 2003 Celebrity Weekend&uot; from Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29. The event on Saturday is titled &uot;A Beautiful Day in the Park&uot; at Portsmouth City Park from 2-4 p.m. that will include a talent showcase, celebrity sports challenge, picnic games with the stars and celebrity jazz picnic.

On Sunday, June 29 the BPP will sponsor an event titled &uot;Beautiful Night.&uot; It will be held from 7-10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Norfolk in the MacArthur Ballroom. It will include a celebrity meet and greet period, photo shoots, press interviews, fashion show, silent auction and an awards banquet. Tim and Daphne Reid will be special guests.

In September he is scheduled to open an office in New York City.

For more information Williams can be reach at 686-5626.