Every role is challenging for me in its own way, but dramatic roles (in comedy-loving, or comedy-acclimated, Trini audiences) prove the most terrifying before a play’s debut.

Still, it is not often that an award-winning team of local actors are assembled on one stage, led by an award-winning director in a gripping local play by an award-winning local playwright.

Written by Cacique Award-winning actor and playwright Theresa Awai, “Coming Home” is a provocative, poignant, funny and ultimately heart-warming new work that tells the story of how one family’s decades’ old secrets, jealousies, and rivalries are uncovered when four strong-willed siblings battle over their deceased mother’s will. As the action unfolds, we find that blood is indeed thicker than water… until everyone reads the will.

Cacique Award-winning director Raymond Choo Kong has pushed himself and the whole cast to dig deep for this challenging work, giving audiences a rare opportunity to see some of Trinidad’s most well-known actors – often best-known for their comedic skills – showing their dramatic chops. That I can most certainly testify to!

The talented cast features Cecilia Salazar, holder of a record nine Cacique Awards and fresh off her triumphant portrayal of Gene Miles, as eldest sister Kathleen. The ever-popular and multiple Cacique Award winning Nikki Crosby and Clifford Learmond play Kathleen’s two younger siblings Elizabeth and Julius, while newcomer Caroline Taylor (errr, me) – winner of Commonwealth and Hutchinson awards for Theatre – plays estranged baby sister Jennifer. Rounding out the cast are veteran actor and radio personality Maurice Brash, alongside Rachel Bascombe-Koranteng and Chris Smith.

The hard-hitting family drama unfolds at the Queen’s Hall from Thursday 29 March through Sunday 1 April, with an opening night special where all tickets are just $100 each. Tickets Friday through Sunday are $150 general and $200 reserved seating, and go on sale at the Queen’s Hall Box Office on Monday 26 March, 12pm–6pm daily, tel: (868) 624-1284. Showtimes are 8:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 6:30pm on Sunday. Tickets are also be available from Green Street Sports Bar & Grill (667-2495); Zippers (Ellerslie Plaza, 628-7978, & West Mall, 633-8308); Stetchers Trincity Mall (640-9274); Michael & Jody’s Gulf City Complex (653-0404); and the Card Gallery Price Plaza Chaguanas (672-9842). For more information email raymondchookong@yahoo.com; or call (868) 384-8663 or (868) 320-8215.

Huge thanks to yesterday’s opening night audience (& for letting us know dis “hard-hitting family drama is in fact a Trini dram-edy! LOL). Big big love to my sistas Cecilia & Nikki – it has been an honour (& a terror) to share the stage with you – & to the whole cast & crew: Clifford, Chris, Rachel, Maurice, Celia, Gregory, & Raymond. Now to try put something in de gas tank for de next three nights!

Hopefully this won’t be the only run… but we shall see…! Thanks & blessings. And happy Liberation Day!!! 😉