BALTIMORE — Unified Voices of Johns Hopkins (UV) and Battle Stage Plays present Ursula V. Battle’s “My Big Phat Ghetto FABULE$$ Wedding” for a return engagement. The stage play production is being directed by Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, and will be presented Friday, September 2, 2016 (7 p.m.) Saturday, September 3, 2016 (2 p.m. & 7 p.m.); and Sunday, September 4, 2016 (5 p.m.) in Turner Auditorium, located in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Ross Research Building, 720 Rutland Avenue in Baltimore City.
The return of the highly successful production includes a powerful cadre of some of the area’s most talented performers; hilarious side splitting comedy; soul-stirring singing; gripping drama; and powerful ministry. The play’s storyline centers around what happens when a reversal of fortune causes a couple’s expensive wedding plans to turn into a beer bucket budget nightmare, setting the stage for the most unforgettable wedding you have ever attended. Through ministry, song, and riveting drama, the play illustrates that love truly conquers all.
The production premiered December 2016. A quick sell-out of advance tickets prompted the addition of fourth a show. The newest performances of “My Big Phat Ghetto FABULE$$ Wedding” features hilarious new additions, which include the debut of the production’s newest character Diana Martini Rossi Aste Spumante (LeLe Russell) and the return of her nemesis sister Evelyn Champagne Jackson (Tanya Brown-Iyesi). “My Big Phat Ghetto FABULE$$ Wedding” follows the highly successful gospel stage play musical “DisChord in The Choir,” which was presented by UV in March 2015. Written by playwright Ursula Battle, and directed by Dr. Branch, “DisChord in The Choir,” also drew rave reviews and sell-out audiences.
In addition to “My Big Phat Ghetto FABULE$$ Wedding” and “DisChord in The Choir,” Dr. Branch has also directed multiple stage play productions including “The Teachers’ Lounge,” “A Raisin in The Sun,” “Dreamgirls,” “Spelling Bee,” “Steel Magnolias,”
“ ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Dr. Branch serves as the director of Health and Human Services for Baltimore County. In addition to “My Big Phat Ghetto FABULE$$ Wedding” and “DisChord in The Choir,” Battle’s stage play productions include “The Teachers’ Lounge,” “The Crown of Glory & The Agony of Deceit,” and “FOR BETTER OR FOR WOR$E.” Battle is a staff writer for The Baltimore Times, and CEO of Battle Stage Plays. She was recently honored as The Newsome Awards’ 2016 “Playwright of the Year.”
Founded in 1993, UV is a gospel choir that consists of a diverse group of individuals with different personalities, lifestyles, and backgrounds working together to bridge the gap between the medical institution and the historic East Baltimore community. Under the direction of Dr. Branch, who is executive director and co-founder of UV, the choir has remained goodwill ambassadors by singing songs of hope, health and healing through harmony at Hopkins.
Tickets are $25 through August 27, 2016, and $35 after that date and at the door. VIP tickets are also available. For additional information or tickets call Battle Stage Plays at 443-531-4787 or visit: www.battlestageplays.com . You can also call UV at 410-955-8888.