STAGE TUBE: SWEET Celebrates Opening Night at National Black Theatre

Maechi Aharanwa, Tré Davis and Renika Williams star in Harrison David Rivers' play "Sweet," the first theatrical production of the 48th season of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre's (NBT). Directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges in her New York City directorial debut, the world premiere opened on October 22 and runs through November 20. Check out interviews and footage from opening night in the video!

"Sweet" follows the tumultuous lives of three Midwesterners in a small town in Kansas during the late '60s. Retha and Nina Baker have always been close-folding laundry, chasing fireflies and enduring the summer heat together. But when their mother dies unexpectedly and their neighbor, George, returns home from college, the sisters' relationship begins to fray and long-held desires threaten to tear them apart. "Sweet" is a coming-of-age story about the sacrifices we make to hold on to the people we love.

The play features Aharanwa, whose Off-Broadway performances include "An Octoroon" (Soho Rep Production/TFANA), "Facing Our Truth" (NBT) and "Macbeth" (Classical Theatre of Harlem), as Retha. Williams, whose regional credits include the title role in "Antigone" (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park) and "Race" (New Edgecliff Theatre Company), is Nina. Tré Davis, whose Off Broadway: credits include "Hamlet" (The Public) and "Zooman and the Sign" (Signature Theatre Company), portrays George, as he returns to NBT after starring in the theater company's critically acclaimed "Carnaval" (Audelco Award Best Ensemble, 2015).

Scenic design is by Matt McAdon, lighting design by Xavier Pierce, sound design by Justin Hicks, costume design by Ari Fulton and stage management by Belynda Hardin.

For tickets and more information, visit www.nationalblacktheatre.org.

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