Judge Mathis plays role in Schaumburg's Powerhouse' show
Nearly one year ago, a Schaumburg production company cast caution to the wind, and invited Judge Greg Mathis to star in their original production celebrating Black History Month.
Yes, the Judge Mathis.
Although a national celebrity, the star of "Ask Judge Mathis" that airs daily on channel 26 WCIU, agreed. He headlines Powerhouse Production's 7 p.m. performance, called "A Message to Our Future," on Saturday at Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts.
"Somehow by the grace of God, he accepted," says Valerie Profit, executive producer.
Mathis will mirror his own role on television, where he often draws on his own "gang to gavel" background -- when he dropped out of school and eventually did jail time before rehabilitating himself, graduating from college and law school to become the youngest judge in Michigan -- before using a no-nonsense style to dispense his decisions.
In the Schaumburg production, the curtain opens on a detention classroom filled with disgruntled teens. Each wants to drop out of school to pursue more worldly pursuits, ranging from a ballerina, to a rap artist, to a model.
Another of the students deals openly with her peers about her teen pregnancy, and her future.
Amid their teenage dialog on the subject enters Judge Mathis himself, who "lets them have it," show officials say.
"The whole point is to encourage teens to complete their education," Profit says. "These are issues with young people, that transcend race."
Landing Mathis was key, Profit adds, as he lends credibility and his own personal message to the performance.
"We're thrilled to have him," Profit adds. "He's really having fun with it."
Profit formed the company 10 years ago, to bring the subject of black history alive for local families. At the time, she says, her own teenage son knew little about his own heritage.
"There was nothing out here, nowhere to go to experience our wonderful, rich heritage," Profit says.
In response to the void, Powerhouse Productions partnered with the village of Schaumburg to mount an original play each year, cast with local performers, aimed at sharing the rich history of the black experience as well as its struggles.
"Since its inception, the program has continued to grow each year, with an afternoon performance being added several years ago to accommodate attendance," says Betsy Armistead, cultural services director. "Each year the response has been very positive, allowing the program to enjoy continued growth."
If you go
What: Powerhouse Productions' Black History Month show, "A Message To Our Future."
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court in Schaumburg
Note: Judge Greg Mathis will perform in the 7 p.m. show.
Tickets: $10-$30
Reception: Black-tie reception with Judge Mathis, including priority seating at play, costs $40 each or $75 for couples. E-mail Wes Scott at scorp56842@aol.com
Call: (847) 923-3600 or online at www.powerhouseproduction.com or www.prairiecenter.org
Cast
• Renay Tucker, Ritchen Park
• Buddy Dalley, Schaumburg
• Tiffany Cotton, Schaumburg
• James Miles, Wheeling
• Taylor Ross, Streamwood
• Kamille Coffie, Wheeling
• Marcus Olytayo, Hoffman Estates
• Ernie Broadnax, Elgin
• Sydney Branch, Schaumburg
• Alexandria Karim, Lake in the Hills
• Anthonia Moore, Streamwood
• Tony Lyke, Lake in the Hills
• Dr. Wes Scott, Elgin
• Reina and Rachel Mckenzie, Elk Grove Village