The power of storytelling on stage

The lead actress, Shelly Rodriguez, who portrays the character of Cheryl, offers a peek into the emotional rollercoaster that the play promises. She explains, “This is a gospel play. When you come, be prepared. There’s a lot of emotional levels… and the actors coming face to face with problems they previously had or didn’t realize they had.”

Rodriguez’s character, Cheryl, is portrayed as a religious, engaged woman whose significant other is serving in the military. She is constantly trying to balance her faith amid the chaos of her life. The gospel play aims at presenting an assortment of people’s problems and struggles, making it relatable to the audience.

Inception of the play

The play is written and produced by Tangie Beaty, who considers each show as an opportunity to rewrite and improve, therefore each rendition of the play is modified to match the contexts and life situations of the time. Beaty comments, “We’ve had to update the lingo and had to update what people are going through. From 2011 to 2024, there’s been a lot of life changes and struggles… pre-pandemic to now.”

The play has a fairly large cast of 21 actors, with nine core actors and actresses. These nine characters carry the story forward with their internal dilemmas, secret shames, and struggles to trust in God. The audience may expect intense emotional journeys ranging from topics like the aftermath of an abortion, suffering marriages, to the realities of having friends and family members in the military.

Who should watch?

Beaty insists, this play is not exclusively for Christians. It aims to dig deep into human psychology and faith, which crosses religious boundaries. However, she recommends that it is not suitable for children under 10 due to the serious context and is most suitable for teenagers and adults.

Rodriguez adds, “Each and every character has a different life situation. Some may be similar but they’re all different.”

The gospel play, “If You Only Knew…Why I Struggle to Trust God” is scheduled for a two and a half hour runtime with shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m.

Avoiding the mask of pretense

In conclusion, the play projects a clear and relatable image of people’s struggles with faith. Beaty points out, “The show itself is about the three women running from their past and now the past has caught up to them, and they’re faced with, ‘Do they put on a mask?’ while suffering silently.” This heart-tugging production is expected to captivate the hearts of the audiences and provoke deep thinking.

With this gospel play, the Harbison Theatre aims to provide much more than entertainment. It is an invitation for self-exploration, understanding, and trust in God, irrespective of one’s religious affiliation. The writers, producers, and actors hope to bring about a refreshing change in the perspective of their viewers and support them in their personal life struggles.

Author: HERE Irmo