THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 20, 1996 TAG: 9602200029
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARSHA GILBERT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
WHAT'S HAPPENING to the good times?
The days when churches outnumber drug dealers, street walkers and hustlers in most inner-city neighborhoods is fast becoming a thing of the past.
The pastor and congregation of The True Vine Full Gospel Church know all too well about the daily battle between good and evil. Their services are held in the same block as the Pink Cadillac Club, a gathering place for undesirables.
Adding fuel to the fire between these two groups is the death of the owner of the properties. Because of a clause in the original purchase agreement, whoever raises enough money 60 days after his death will own all the buildings on the block. The church and the club are racing the clock.
This feud is the plot for the gospel musical ``He Say . . . She Say . . . But What Does God Say?'' on stage tonight and Wednesday at Willett Hall in Portsmouth. Tonight's show is sold out; tickets for Wednesday are $21.75.
The comedy/drama is peppered with familiar faces, including Ernest Thomas (from the TV sitcoms ``What's Happening'' and ``What's Happening Now''), BernNadette Stanis (Thelma from TV's ``Goodtimes''), gospel musician Kirk Franklin and singer and actress Cheryl ``Pepsii'' Riley.
The struggle between a godly life and the street life is a familiar theme to one of the traveling show's stars. Thomas, who starred as Raj on ``What's Happening'' and ``What's Happening Now,'' has first-hand experience with the power of God over the lure of drugs.
Thomas, who plays fast-talking Deacon Witherspoon, used cocaine and alcohol heavily in the seven years between his two TV series.
``The play has a powerful message for Christians to get the neighborhood back so drug dealers and gangs know they cannot come back,'' said Thomas, who has been a Muslim since 1977.
BernNadette Stanis , who is best known for playing young Thelma on the television show ``Goodtimes,'' plays Margerine, the girlfriend of the club's ruthless proprietor.
``My character thinks she's living good because she came from the projects and is now making money from selling drugs,'' said Stanis.
She refers to the play as a ``dramity'' because it is a comedy and drama with a strong plot and quality acting.
``The message is very strong,'' Stanis continued. ``A person that goes astray can find himself and come back to God. You can always come back no matter how far away you go. God doesn't judge you. It's about lost souls and finding souls.''
Leading the way for any lost souls in the audience is gospel music composer Kirk Franklin, who plays the charismatic Pastor Steven Jackson.
``Everybody says the community is going to hell because a church and a liquor store are in every community,'' said David E. Talbert, the show's writer and director. ``The community, with the backing of the church, has the power to transform some negative elements into positive.'' ILLUSTRATION: ON STAGE
What: ``He Say. . .She Say . . .But What Does God Say?''
When: 8 p.m. tonight (sold out) and Wednesday
Where: Willett Hall, Portsmouth
Tickets: $21.75
Call: 393-5144
by CNB