I Need a Mand Critique

I Need A Man by Michael Matthews featured at Willett Hall in Portsmouth, VA was a true disappointment to say the least.  First night was not a saleout, but it was a full house -- an anxious audience awaited entertaining, but left the venue disappointed and demanding a refund.  Unknown to the audience there were quite a few 'no shows' of the advertised cast members.  Those who were there:  Alyson Williams,Big Daddy Kane and Michael Matthews, Carl Anthony Payne & Jackee Harry.  Mr. Matthews and the 'powers that be' did not find it necessary to inform the paying audience that they were sitting in on the dress rehersal since half the cast had not arrived.  This was a poor attempt of 'the show must go on' since it is hard to put on the show without the actors.  As for the 'cameo appearance' of Jackee -- she was paid too much!

As for the actors who did bother to show-up: Alyson Williams carried her  own  as Momma Lily hitting her cues and ad-libbing where necessary to add humor to the technical difficulties.  Big Daddy Kane's roll as the blind man was okay, but he made his time count on stage by belting out a magnificent duet with one of the sisters who obviously was a stand-in because the theatre did not provide info on the stand-ins (Grove Baptist Church members and CoCo, radio host of 95.7 R&B).

In regards to the play:  it was disappointing to see how the writer thought it necessary to write a piece that disgraced Black Women by portraying them as weak and desperate for a man; disrespecting them by attacking innocent old ladies, shaming them as to not having control over their household; humiliating them by not giving them the backbone to stand-up for themselves and totally disrespecting the majority of his  audience.  Since there was a bit of prayer, gospel singing in the skit I find it odd how the writer overlooked the scripture on 'honoring your mother so that your days on earth may be long' (Exodus 20:12).

Reliving the horrible fiasco is painful and I could have better spent my funds by purchasing gas for my vehicle.  Word to the wise, purchasing a ticket to the play I Need A Man by Michael Matthews is like purchasing non-winning lotto tickets -- totally disappointing.