“The Game’s On You,” on Sat., Oct. 24
Published 6:30 pm Thursday, October 15, 2009
A Montgomery police officer turned playwright is bringing a production of his play, “The Game’s on You,” to the Camellia City on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Ritz Theatre.
S.K. Folks said he was immediately impressed with the venue.
“It’s just a really nice theatre with a great stage, great sound equipment and lighting,” said Folks.
After a performance at Montgomery’s Davis Theatre, Folks said he started looking around the area for another city to stage a performance, a city which had an appreciation of theatre and the arts.
One of the cast members mentioned Greenville.
“We just started talking about taking it to Greenville because this cast member had friends here and Greenville was known for having a history with the arts,” said Folks. “Then they told me about the Ritz Theatre and when I got here and looked it over I said ‘this is the one.'”
Folks named his production company after his grandfather, Ellie Folks. Folks said his grandfather instilled in him a “love of the Lord and a work ethic that has allowed him to open Ely Junior Productions.” His inspiration, he said, was Lorraine Hansberry’s “Raisin in the Sun,” because Hansberry is able to take everyday situations in life and make them both dramatic and comedic, while also teaching a moral lesson.
His first stage work was writing and directing a 15 minute project in his Robert E. Lee High School theatre class. Writing was still a hobby, Folks said, before he began dreaming of producing his first play: “The Game’s On You.”
Folks said “The Game’s On You” is about a father and son who are both dealing with some sort of addiction. The father is focused on women and work while the son devotes most of his energy to video games. The play is both a comedy and drama, said Folks, dealing with family responsibility and material values.
Jason Huffman, who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, is lead director of the play. The cast of performers include: Rico Davis, Shaun Cook, Sabrina Taylor, Javon Barnes, Curtia Torbert, and Alicia Fry.
There will be two performances on Saturday, Oct. 24, said Folks, a matinee at 2 p.m. and an evening performance at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults and $10 for senior citizens. Tickets are available at Robinson Beauty Supply, Hot Waxx and at the box office.