“Divorce Papers,” the most popular and hilarious play of the 2015 Caribbean theatre season starring Oliver Samuels, Barbara McCalla, Maylynne Lowe and Dennis Titus will be staged this weekend and next weekend, in Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens. The star studded cast includes Dennis Titus who appeared in Denzel Washington’s blockbuster movie, “The Mighty Quinn.”
The New York City venues and dates are:
Brooklyn Center at Brooklyn College, Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 pm; Lehman Center at Lehman College, Bronx, Saturday, Sept. 26, 8pm; York Performing Arts Center at York College, Queens, Sunday, Sept. 27, 4:30 pm.
“We can only do two weekends in New York,” says playwright Basil Dawkins “since we are booked in the USVI and England in October thru early November.”
Although the famed Oliver Samuels and Barbara McCalla lead the cast in the suspenseful comedy-play, Maylynne Lowe and Dennis Titus are sheer fabulous. The late Miss Lou of Jamaica and the aging Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago Nobel Laureate, Derek Walcott, upon seeing the brilliant acting of Lowe and Titus in “Divorce Papers” may proudly proclaim, “The future of Caribbean theater is in good hands.”
Actress Jean White says, “These days Jamaican theater and comedy fans don’t only see Oliver Samuels in an Oliver play, they also see young and brilliant stars … And, the creativity of the award winning playwright, Basil Dawkins.” White is confident that children and adults of all nationalities will enjoy the hilarious roles of Lowe and Titus in “Divorce Papers.”
Both Titus and Lowe could have remained in the U.S. and become household names on television, in motion pictures and on Broadway but they chose to return to Jamaica to contribute to theater, the performing arts and nation building.
Titus is a graduate of Edna Manley College, Jamaica. He developed his craft further in theater, film and television in the UK and USA. A friend remarked, “The opportunity of Dennis working alongside Denzel Washington in ‘The Mighty Quinn’ is an experience which helped him to become a dedicated professional.” Titus played the role of Percy in The Mighty Quinn. Critics have also applauded Titus for his magnificent roles in “Embassy Saga” and “Dolly House.”
Lowe is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY and Emerson College in Boston. She appeared in Jamaica’s longest running television soap, “Royal Palm Estate.” She is a recipient of Best Actress in a lead role for “White Witch of Rosehall.” Lowe’s other theater and comedy roles include “After Mrs. Rochester,” “Uptown Bangarang,” “Toy Boy,” “Which Way Is Out” and “Uptown Bangarang 2.”
Barbara McCalla is not only an actress she is a lawyer by profession. In “Divorce Papers” Barbara plays the role of Mrs. Grace Goffe, wife of Augustus Goffe (Oliver Samuels.) Does Barbara allow her legal mind to overshadow her character, Grace, in Grace’s pursuit to seek a divorce from Augustus?
No wonder Rev. Devon Dick, pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Andrew, wrote in the Gleaner. “….This play is not only for persons who are divorced or who are contemplating divorce, but for all persons interested in romantic relationships. It is a play for the entire family.”
The staging of “Divorce Papers” in New York City is promoted by Herman Hall Communications. Ticket prices are: Brooklyn College and Lehman College, $60, $55, $50; York College $55 in advance. Available online at www.every
