Michelle Williams, formerly a member of Destiny’s Child, widely recognized as the best-selling female group of all time, stars in David E. Talbert’s “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” coming to the Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., Feb. 8–13.
The talented cast also includes the multi-talented Clifton Davis, Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Ann Nesby (former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness) and Brian White, the son of NBA great Jojo White and one of the stars of the hit movie “Stomp the Yard.”
Williams stars as Lena Summer in “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” and she recently spoke about her new role as she and Talbert were traveling together to promote the show’s upcoming national tour.
“Lena Summer [is] a wife and a mother,” Williams explained. “She [does] those things very well, but she married a man who had a very successful business, and he gets very busy — his job is very demanding, and he neglects some important things at home. People see women with rich husbands, big houses and cars and they think everything is peaches and cream, but they don’t realize that woman is longing just for her husband. She wants him.”
Clifton Davis stars in the role of Lena’s husband Franklin, while Brian White plays Paul, a top-notch plumber who is hired to lay some pipe — I mean, do some work on the couples’ home.
“Paul was highly recommended to my husband for this job, so my husband hired him as he was the best one — he got all these great referrals,” Williams says. “So [Paul] is just amazing at what he does, and then Lena finds out that he’s amazing at what he does!”
“Paul was highly recommended to my husband for this job, so my husband hired him as he was the best one — he got all these great referrals,” Williams says. “So [Paul] is just amazing at what he does, and then Lena finds out that he’s amazing at what he does!”
Talbert, a longtime friend to the Philadelphia Tribune, says that Williams, who made her theatrical debut in 2003 when she replaced Toni Braxton on Broadway in the title role of “Aida,” is perfect for the role of Lena.
“I’ve been trying to work with Michelle for a few years and her schedule
was all over the place, from ‘The Color Purple’ to ‘Chicago,’ said Talbert, as Williams sat nearby.
was all over the place, from ‘The Color Purple’ to ‘Chicago,’ said Talbert, as Williams sat nearby.
“So when it was time to cast this one, I sent her an email – you how sometimes big celebrities, they give you a fake email? I had to check and see if it was still working. She hit me back in about 30 seconds. She was in London finishing up ‘Chicago,’ and so we ended up getting on Skype and talking for two hours. I told her about the play and read her some of the scenes, and by the time it was over she said, ‘Okay. Let’s do it!’
“Not only do I think she’s elegant as a lady, but I love her voice, and what I did not know is that her comedy chops are like they are. The girl’s got crazy comedy chops! I mean, her comedy I.Q. is through the roof, so she’s just wearing the role out!”
Now a seasoned actress, Williams studies acting with Ivana Chubbuck, and is inspired by actors Halle Berry, Jack Nicholson, Angela Bassett, Nicole Kidman and Alfre Woodard.
She starred in the touring production of “The Color Purple,” and appeared in “Chicago” in London and on Broadway, but says that landing her first professional role in “Aida” was a defining moment.
