Marriage can be a challenge, and best friends Angie and CeCe know this well. But when one of them finds herself about to lose her husband to another woman, that challenge turns into all hell breaking loose.
Their fictional story is set to unfold on the stage of the Virginia Samford Theatre on August 6-7 as part of Marc Raby’s gospel stage play, “He’s Not the Man I Married.” The show will feature a mix of comedy, drama, original gospel music as well as a moving performance by “Sunday’s Best” 2010 Finalist Dontavious Boatwright.
“There is no way you can come to this play going through (a problem) and not get a release,” Raby says.
The play opened in Gadsden in May to a sold-out audience. Raby is hoping for the same turnout in Birmingham, he says. The show starts at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.amraevision.com.
A Birmingham native, Raby fell in love with writing as a boy. In the first grade, he participated in a young writers conference at UAB and, “Somebody messed up and told me I was good,” he says with a laugh.
His love affair with the theater took shape when he and his aunt went to see the gospel play, “Mama I’m Sorry.” Once it was over, Raby was convinced that he wanted to create plays of his own someday. From that day forth, every time a gospel play came to Birmingham that same aunt would sacrifice to get the tickets so that he could go. “That was the beginning of my theater fascination,” he says.
Raby hoped and prayed that his future would someday include the marriage of his two passions. Years later, while walking out of church, he got a spiritual confirmation. Gospel music promoter George Stewart stopped Raby and told him that God said “his gifts were in his writing and in his tongue.” “He made that declaration and I have tried to hold on to it,” Raby says.
Later, Stewart had a conversation with the Alabama State University convincing them to allow Raby, who was too young at the time, to be admitted as a student of famed actress Dr. Tommie 'Tonea' Stewart's renowned 3T program.
Then, armed with training in writing and theater, Raby began creating his own productions. First came “We Were There,” a black history play that toured the Birmingham City Schools; then “Ebony Scrooge,” Raby’s take on the Christmas classic; “Love Shouldn’t Hurt So Bad” was a popular production; and now “He’s Not the Man I Married” is being anticipated by Raby fans everywhere.
Raby says his productions are different from the typical gospel stage plays on the circuit because he does not follow the tried-and-true formula that is so popular among other playwrights. “I am sorry if the jokes aren’t in the right place,” he says. “I went with the Holy Spirit.”
And besides writing plays, Raby has penned an inspirational book called “Even Me: Maintaining Your Faith in Uncertain Times” as well as three children’s books. He says his mission is to use his writing, whether through books or plays, to inspire people. “I’ve got a charge to keep,” he says. “I only write by His (God’s) orchestration.”
With a slew of gospel stage plays and several books underneath his belt, does Raby want to be the next Tyler Perry? “Absolutely not,” he says. “I believe everyone’s gift will make room for them. Everyone has a place in the kingdom-at-large and I stay in my lane.”
Raby also has a charity called “Books and Bears” where he gives hundreds of books and Teddy bears to needy children in local Pre-K programs. He says he wants to give them, “a book and a friend.” During the night of his play, Raby is offering a V.I.P. Lounge experience for $28.50 that includes a post-show reception. Proceeds from it will be used to benefit his charity.