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GHA home to Hay Now! debut musical

By Susie Potter
Editorial Intern

Hay Now! Theatre Productions presented its debut performance, the gospel musical “Respect Me” Saturday, June 20 at the Garner Historic Auditorium.

The married couple in Charlotte Webb’s play “Respect Me” argue about the husband’s affair. Webb’s production, which was performed at the Garner Historic Auditorium Saturday, June 20, centered on the idea of respect. SUSIE POTTER, GCNT

The play was written, directed and produced by Charlotte Webb, who is head of the drama department at Fred J. Carnage GT Magnet Middle School in Raleigh.

This was not Webb’s first time trying her hand at doing all three.

“I wrote my first play while I was a student at North Carolina Central University,” Webb said. “All the graduating seniors had to write, direct and produce a play as a final exit work.”

Her college play was called “One Drink at the Time.” Webb went on to write plays for her church, including “The Life of Christ and the Power in His Resurrection” and “The Miracle.”

A family fractured

“Respect Me” is a drama that focuses on the consequences of disrespecting others in every day life. Webb’s production centered on a family torn apart by a husband’s extramarital affair. A comedic subplot about a spoiled boss who mistreats her employees brought a touch of lightness to the otherwise serious subject matter.

Jasmine Sessons, a student at Southeast Magnet High School, gave a particularly memorable performance in her role as Lydia Young, the selfish boss.

Webb said the overall message of the play is about mutual respect between people.

“In order to get respect, you must be willing to give respect,” she said. “Respect is something that is earned.”

Webb got the idea for her show from a sermon by her friend – and the show’s musical director – Apostle Shirley Henderson of Praise Ministries Family Worship Center in Raleigh.

“[Henderson] was preaching about how people lack respect for each other and how this lack of respect affects relationships with families, destroys friendships and causes problems in the work place,” Webb said.

Looking ahead

The audience seemed impressed with the show, and Webb received much praise for her work.

“I believe the audience was moved and touched by the performance,” Webb said. “I think many of them saw the negative outcomes that occur when there is a lack of respect among family members, friends and co-workers.”

The debut performance went so well that Webb plans to direct another one of her shows in the near future. She is currently writing a play, also inspired by one of Henderson’s sermons, “It Happened at the Pool.”

The supporting cast

The cast of “Respect Me” was made up of members of Praise Ministries Family Worship Center and Webb’s former drama students. Webb was extremely grateful for all the hard work they put into making her dream of producing a show a reality.

She thanked the cast, crew, those who shared their musical talents, the GHA staff, the community, friends and family.

“I’d like to personally thank God for my senior pastor, [Henderson], for writing and arranging the music for the play, for believing in me and for encouraging me to go forth with the gifts and talents that God has given me in the art of theater and ministry.”

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