Daren Herbert returns home to perform in –'The Wedding'
The sequel to the popular 'Pastor, Will You Marry Me, Please?' will open tonight at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.
Written and directed by Patricia Nesbitt, 'The Wedding', a Four Women Production House's production, follows the lives of Mary Waterspoon Johnson, a character from the original play, Pastor Deacon Bobby Johnson, his wife, Sister Roseclaire Johnson, and two comedic ageing characters, Sister Claudette Pinterworth and Sister Allelu.
Through a series of extraordinary and unexpected events, Mary becomes the pastor of the church and falls in love with a handsome musician, Pastor Ryan Ryan, who is played by debut actor and health coach Preston J. Ephraim II.
Also in the cast is Bermuda's own star of stage and screen, Daren A. Herbert, who will be playing the role of Reverend Carswell Ryan. Mr. Herbert has worked on stages in New York, Los Angeles, South Korea, Vancouver, Toronto, Osaka and Japan and he has worked on screen opposite stars including Kimberly Elise, Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy.
Some of his credits include 'Dreamgirls', '2012', 'Close to Home', 'Kyle XY', 'Smallville', 'Sanctuary' and an he has an upcoming appearance in 'Hot Tub Time Machine' with John Cusack and Craig Robinson.
Mr. Herbert has also earned an LA Drama Critics Circle Award and an NAACP Theatre Award Nomination for his work in the Los Angeles Premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's 'The Wild Party' and recently had his Toronto debut in Dancap's premiere of 'The Toxic Avenger'.
The list of local actors includes Nishanthi Bailey, in the lead role as Pastor Mary Waterspoon Johnson, Michelle Laylor as Mary's guardian mother Sister Roseclaire Johnson, Rhonda Daniels as Sister Claudette Pinterworth, church stalwart and maintenance engineer, Bermuda's only female comedienne, Gina Davis as the zany and sometimes off, sensual widow, Sister Allelu; and Laurel Burns as Pastor Ryan's meddling ex-wife, Sheila.
Supporting actors include, Lamont Robinson as the former Acting Deacon Bobby Johnson; Perry Trott and Terlena Murphy as Mary's estranged parents, Jack and Gloria Waterspoon; Capri Wilson as Mary's double crazy cousin and maid of honour Craynisha Smith; and Wayne Robinson as Grandpa Godfrey.
All of the music is original and has been created by composer and lyricist extraordinaire John Duncan, who has teamed up with the gifted Leroy Simmons of Love Alive Ministries and the gospel singing sensation, the L.A. Crew, under his direction.
The play runs until Saturday and curtain is at 8 p.m. each night.
Tickets $45, and Patron tickets $65, are available at Eru A'Tile on Court Street, Heritage Bookstore, People's Pharmacy, 27th Century Boutique, and Vibe on Burnaby Hill.