Shelly Garrett’s
“BEAUTY SHOP-2009”
(Where All Hell Breaks Loose!)
A
merica’s most successful black stage play is ALL NEW for 2009.
The story continues, as the ‘curling irons’ get even hotter, the
gossip is juicer, the backstabbing is deeper, and the he-said; she-said
tips the scales in
Shelly Garrett’s
all new BEAUTY SHOP-
2009..
Not to worry; the flamboyantly gay Christopher Rich, well you just
know him as Chris, is still there, and is now the new owner of the
shop. After purchasing the thriving business, Chris decided to
change the name from ‘The Pamper Me Beauty Shop’ to a more
appropriate name; “DIVAS UNLEASHED!”
BEAUTY SHOP -2009 is still full of hysterical characters,
including Shameka, the ghetto-fabulous receptionist, who should not
be trusted around anyone’s man; also, Tyrone, he’s big, he’s burly,
he’s the manicurist? Recently released from prison and hates being
teased about his new job, Tyrone files and polishes until his temper
just blows. Then, there’s the hair stylists; Mercedes, the battered
girlfriend, who loves her man so much, she just won’t leave; Brazil,
who pretends to love everyone in the shop, but doesn’t; Champagne,
who continues to live in the past, as a ex-model, but now too old to
strut her stuff; plus, an array of new wacky customers, all bringing
the drama of women trying to work together, in an uncontrolled
BEAUTY SHOP, creating uncontrollable laughter.
There is so much going-on in this BEAUTY SHOP; it’s difficult to
‘shampoo’ the drama from your mind! For instance; can you
believe that one of the ladies’ working in the shop is having an affair
with her co-worker’s man? But wait, are you ready for this… not
only is the affair is taking place right under her co-worker’s nose, but
it’s taking place right in her home, as well!
Speaking of men, how hot will the ‘straightening combs’ get, when
Shameka, Champagne and Chris learn they are all seeing the same
guy?
Now put this under the ‘hair dryer’… a strange lady strolls into the
BEAUTY SHOP claiming she is pregnant by Ricco. But wait-asecond, Ricco is Mercedes’ man; the batterer!
BEAUTY SHOP – 2009 will have you in the aisles choking with
laughter, and speaking of the aisles, some of this stage play takes
place right out there in the audience. They actually become a part of
the show. There will be times you will want to slap the stranger next
to you, and moments later, singing along with the dynamic vocalists,
in the show.
Get ready to fall-out of your seat with mascara-running laughter.
You remember, don’t you? Remember how it was enjoying an
evening of pure entertainment watching Shelly
Garrett’s BEAUTY
SHOP?
Remember the laughter, coming from deep inside your soul, until it
was difficult to catch your breath?
Remember how involved you were at what was taking place onstage, and sometimes you were actually shocked into more laughter?
Remember the kind of singing that gave you chill-bumps?
good….. LET’S DO IT AGAIN!
Well
From the GODFATHER of Black Theatre
Shelly Garrett’s
“BEAUTY SHOP - 2009”
YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED… UNLESS YOU MISS IT!
He is known as THE GODFATHER OF BLACK THEATRE. Shelly Garrett first
became nationally famous in 1989 when his successful stage play “Beauty Shop” began
its tour of the United States for three consecutive years; touring sixty-two cities and many
of those were played more than once, twice, three times; some up to five return dates.
It was the first stage play to play The Wilshire-Ebel Theatre in Los Angeles. Also, the
first stage play to play Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. and most notably, the first
to play The Beacon Theatre in New York City. In fact, Shelly Garrett’s “Beauty Shop”
played The Beacon Theatre for a total of thirteen weeks and every single performance
was sold-out in the 2,800 seat venue. Shelly Garrett and his stage play literally took New
York by storm; even outselling the Broadway production of “CATS” while it was in the
city. No one could explain it; not even Garrett himself, other than “People need and want
to laugh,” he stated. He certainly made that statement come true, as he introduced black
America to black theatre in an unconventional way and style.
Since that time, Shelly Garrett has written produced and directed sixteen stage plays and
is preparing the tour of number seventeen: Shelly Garrett’s BEAUTY SHOP – 2009.”
But America still just couldn’t get enough of the original “BEAUTY SHOP.” So he
toured, “Beauty Shop – Part 2,” “Beauty Shop – 10 Years Later,” “Beauty Shop –
Under New Management” and “Beauty Shop – The Original Stage Play” for DVD.
Shelly Garrett’s “Beauty Shop” has had more feature film adaptations and spin-offs than
any other stage play in American history; black, white or otherwise. The latest feature
film being “The Salon,” starring Vivica A. Fox, Terrance Dashon Howard, Darrin
Dewitt Henson, Kym Whitley, Monica Calhoun and Garrett Morris, which was released
in theatres nationally in 2007. Also, there was the feature motion picture, “Hair Show”
starring comedienne and actress Monique and of course the MGM studio “Beauty Shop,”
starring Queen Latifah.
In the ‘80’s, the ABC television network developed a television sitcom based on Shelly
Garrett’s stage play. It was titled “New Attitudes,” starring Sheryl Lee Ralph, Morris
Day, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney and Janet DuBois. Actually, Shelly didn’t think the show
was funny at all; and he kept telling the executives what the show needed to make it a
success, but he said, “they just wouldn’t listen.” Apparently he was correct, as America
didn’t think the sitcom was funny either; it was pulled after nine episodes. “You see, I
wrote “Beauty Shop” with a central character, who happened to be ‘gay,’ but ABC didn’t
want to take the chance of offending their viewers with a gay character, however it made
my stage play hysterical, and finally historical.” Now television viewers see “gay”
characters on almost any television channel, on which they tune-in.
Shelly Garrett made it possible for the likes of Tyler Perry, David E. Talbert and so many
others. Entertaining America, with hysterical laughter, is where Shelly Garrett excels and
he continues to give it to us by the truckload.
Encore, Shelly Garrett! Encore!
“E” Entertainment Weekly