By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Actor, director and producer Kenny B. Dozier is offering Nashville’s theatrical audience something a bit different with the latest production from his ongoing series of works under the umbrella of Kennie Playhouse Theater. The latest is a new version of Samm Art Williams’ “The Dance On Widow’s Row,” which opens Thursday night at the
Z. Alexander Looby Theater.
The play takes place in a coastal community in Port Town, North Carolina. It’s a romantic comedy that centers around four widows who defy small town rumors and vicious gossip by hosting a gathering with the town’s most eligible gentlemen. These women are determined to find them a new husband no matter what!
It’s directed by Dozier, who also’s part of the cast. Others in the distinguished company include Stella Reed Patterson, Helen Shute Pettaway (The voice of the African Street Festival), Keisha Cunningham, Courtney Deckard, Ethan Jones, Kenny Dozier, John Wiggins, Stacia Brown, Sallie Woodard and Chandra Norman Lipscomb.
“I was really attracted to this because it’s a quality romantic comedy,” Dozier told the Tribune over the weekend. “It’s a chance for people to come out, have a good time, have some laughs, but it’s still a very good and strong work. Plus it’s a chance to work with some topflight senior actors, and a chance for the younger actors to see and enjoy their work.”
Williams, a Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts winner, has done numerous acclaimed plays and also written for the television shows “The Women of Brewster Place,” “Sanford & Son” and “Coojk & Peary: The Race to the Pole” among others. He’s been nominated for multiple awards, among them both an Emmy and a Drama Desk award.
Performances of “The Dance ON Widow’s Row” will be presented at Looby Center Theater (2301 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208), Nov. 3 – 13. Evening shows are Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. But Dozier has also added something special for this production.
“During the pandemic I was delivering food to Senior center, and they couldn’t come out due to fears for their health,” Dozier added. “I saw how cut off they could be from the outside world.” This production will have special “Seniors Shows” on Nov,. 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11. (must be accompanied by someone 50yrs or older). Tickets for the Seniors Show are $20.
