Nikka Shae with Diva Extraordinaire L.A. Bonds at the Green Grass premiere
While attending the Heeling Diabetes Shoenista Auction hosted by Nyasia Bowen and Nadia Matthews; and just after having snagged a pair of fabulous red suede stilettos in a bidding war that would rival the likes of Dave Hester and Darrell Sheets of Storage Wars (A&E); I had the pleasure of meeting playwright L.A. Bonds who was in the house to support the foundation and to also pick up a pair of beauties for her own collection. During our conversation, Ms. Bonds explained that she’d written a Gospel stage play called “Green Grass” that she would also be directing. Both Writer and Director?…Watch out Mr Perry! 😀 L.A. extended an invitation for me to attend the premiere the following month of which I graciously accepted. Obviously I was very excited as I couldn’t wait to see what Ms. Bonds had in store. And, since it was a Gospel stage play I knew it would no doubt deliver with both comedy and “sangin” (spelled correctly).
Publicist Nadia Matthews and L.A. Bonds
So, let’s fast forward a bit to the “Green Grass” premiere which was set at the 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points. The storyline evolved inside Police Precinct 10 and addresses the ups and downs of what is referred to as the “Three S’s” of relationships; being single (dating), being settled (married), and searching (looking for love). And as you can imagine there was plenty of hilarity on set as the production exposé was filled with both thought provoking and knee slapping skits that attempt to answer the all-encompassing question “Is the grass greener on the other side?”.
The production featured the following actors:
LaShonda Jones as Alexandria Simmons
Tim Tillman as Calvin Simmons
Brkal Burch as Isaiah Smith
LuJuana Haynes as Aunaysha Robinson
Ka’dell “Kwame” Ervin as Jeremy McCullough
Kym Becton as Carmen Smith
Mark Rock Nelson as Pastor Green
Courtland B. Toney as Wayne Johnson
Now, here’s the play’s synopsis:
Anything can happen at Precinct 10! Three African-American women deal with dating, marriage, and the many perils of being open to love. Whether it’s learning to love again after infidelity or balancing new relationships and a new marriage, Green Grass revolves around the universal question “Is the grass greener on the other side?”.
L.A. Bonds takes a bow with the cast of Green Grass
Alexandria is an unabashed gold digger who married Atlanta’s finest, Chief Calvin Simmons and is in constant denial of her true intentions on marrying him. Carmen is the recently promoted Assistant Chief Of Police who is bright, principled, and interested in rekindling the fire back into her marriage, but she isn’t about to compromise her Christianity beliefs to accommodate some of the foolish ways of her husband. Aunaysha is the precinct receptionist, who is eager to be in a committed relationship but lacks a little bit of grace and eloquence not only in her love life, but in the workplace as well. Pastor Green, the voice of reasoning, guides each woman to rediscover their hearts desire concerning love with fearlessness and sincerity.
Green Grass cast members break out in song
This play definitely takes on universal issues that interest all women. Each woman explores the many trials and tribulations that most women face today in relationships. Whether it’s considering divorce, re-marrying or simply looking for true love, Green Grass delivers along with comedy and wit.
Green Grass is a production of L.A. Bonds Studios and Ebony Vanguard Productions.
Writer and Director L.A. Bonds
Writer, Director, and Entrepreneur L.A. Bonds is definitely making her mark on the Gospel stage play circuit and doing it in Diva-esque style! Look for more from L.A. Bonds Studios as they have a few upcoming productions due to hit the stage in the coming months. And, if they’re anything like Green Grass, L.A. Bonds can confidently answer the question “Is the grass greener on the other side?” with a definite YES!
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