This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1
When a stage play makes it from a church sanctuary to the Fisher Theater and then on to play at the Detroit Opera House — the Broadway of Detroit—the play has to have star quality, engaging dialogue, and vibrantly resonate with diverse audiences. The award-winning national hit gospel production Perilous Times fits the bill at all levels of entertainment value and leaves audience members with a memorable theatrical experience.
Perilous Times is playwright and author TJ Hemphill’s first major stage play, but the former DPS teacher and minister has since written and directed the popular films : Love Won’t Let Me Wait (Lamman Rucker Vivica Fox), and Lord, All Men Can’t Be Dogs (Vivica Fox, Elise Neal, Christian Keyes).
Hemphill, a native Detroiter and the founder and publisher of Totally Gospel magazine is bringing the much anticipated production to the Detroit Opera House March 24 through March 26 with a cast of sought after actors, including Clifton Powell, Isaac Carree, Tim Bowman Jr., Terrell Carter and Teisha Brown.
“My first major work was actually Perilous Times and I had no idea that it would develop into the show that it currently is. I wrote the play back in 1990, and it was just a tremendous experience for me writing that. I think I kind of expected it to grow, but the extent to which it has grown … I didn’t expect,” confides Hemphill.
The gospel play, now a novel delves into the epic journey of a young man discovering his past which changes his view of the world and his future.
“I had thought one day that doing church plays was fine for people in church. But I wanted a play that was going to draw people that didn’t know anything about church people, or church, or the story of Christ. That’s when God gave me a vision about perilous times,” explains Hemphill. “This is a story that takes place in a very contemporary setting, and then transforms that back into Biblical themes.”
The playwright and novelist began writing plays during his teaching days in Detroit Public Schools, after funding cuts deprived students of auditorium programs and live theater experiences. “I felt so bad for the kids because I was raised on those programs. [Plays] open and expand kids’ imaginations and gives them a chance to express themselves through another medium,” explains Hemphill, adding “It impacts them in that it inspires them and motivates them to do things better, knowing that they are part of a process in motion.”
Hemphill maintains a presence in the classroom teaching part-time at Commonwealth Community Development Academy. “I think it is so important — particularly for African Americans — for young people to experience success as soon as they can. So that’s what I try to provide. I want people to be a part of something that is really successful, something that’s good and something they can be proud to attach their name too.”
The takeaway for audiences …
“The [priority] for me is the ministry. I want people to know the story of Christ, the value and the meaning of the cross, what it means for us as Christians and the hope that it brings to people who have no hope. The second thing as a playwright and as a director, is if a person comes to our show … they should at least go away saying, what a powerful message of redemption and love. They should come away saying this was a great theatrical experience.
The Perilous Times show has donated tickets and secured buses and will be transporting Flint residents to the show in an effort to uplift members of that community.
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