A Bold Look at Domestic Violence Through a New Lens

First premiering to sold-out audiences at Luna Stage Theatre in 2014, Man of the House has toured throughout the Tri-State area, earning acclaim for its emotional depth, humor, and social impact. The play breaks new ground by exploring domestic violence from the rarely told perspective of a male abuse survivor, revealing the layers of shame, silence, and generational trauma that often surround such stories.

A’ndre Davis stars as ‘James,’ a man struggling to save his relationship while reclaiming his sense of self. The cast also features powerhouse performances from:

• Monifah as Kesi
• C. King (Nick Cannon’s Wild ’N Out) as Isaac
• Trinity Whiteside (Tyler Perry’s Sistas, Zatima) as Walt
• Cortez Smith (The Chi) as Lawrence

Through heart, humor, and hard truths, Davis’s writing opens dialogue on gender, power, and resilience — urging audiences to reconsider how they view strength and vulnerability.

A Homecoming at The Billie

“Bringing Man of the House to The Billie Holiday Theatre is a full-circle moment for me as both an artist and a storyteller,” Davis said. “The Billie has long been a home for truth-telling and for art that challenges us to see the world differently. With this play, I wanted to shine a light on a side of domestic violence we rarely talk about — the experiences of male survivors — while still giving audiences the heart, humor, and humanity that make stories resonate.”

Founded in 1972, The Billie Holiday Theatre stands as a cornerstone of Black arts and culture. As an AUDELCO, Obie, and National Medal for the Arts award-winning institution, The Billie continues to champion work rooted in racial justice and truth, making it a fitting stage for Davis’s deeply personal and socially charged story.

Performance Details

Man of the House
The Billie Holiday Theatre
1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216

• Friday, October 10, 2025 – 7:30 PM
• Saturday, October 11, 2025 – 2:00 PM
• Saturday, October 11, 2025 – 7:00 PM
• $60 General Admission / $100 VIP (Evening Shows)
• $40 General Admission / $65 VIP (Matinee)

VIP tickets include premiere seating, an autographed playbill, a cast meet & greet, the play’s soundtrack, a complimentary beverage, and a souvenir cup.

Man of the House promises not just an unforgettable night of theatre — but a powerful call for awareness, compassion, and change within our communities.

The post Monifah, C. King, and More Star In Man Of The House At Brooklyn’s Billie Holiday Theatre appeared first on Broadway Black.

The all-star line-up features Faith Evans , Angela Winbush, Meli’sa Morgan , Monifah , Candace Benson, runner-up on season 7 of BET Sunday Best and Urban Guerilla Orchestra. Perhaps best known as the original “Deena Jones” in Dreamgirls on Broadway, Ms. Ralph earned a Tony nomination and won a Drama Desk award for her star-making effort. In 1990, the actor turned activist and chartered the 501c3 Driving Infectious Viruses Away or DIVA Foundation.

The actress, producer and singer, turned best-selling author with her 2012 book, Redefining Diva, which took on a additional meaning as DIVA has become known as Divinely Inspired Victoriously Anointed. The foundation appears to evolve in the same dynamic way its founder can reinvent herself.

Reinvention is one of several talents that come easy for a woman of equal parts style and substance. Ms. Ralph graduated college while still in her teens and has earned a doctorate in connection with the work she’s done in honor of those she has lost to AIDS. Divas Simply Singing, the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the nation, will feature HIV screenings and testimonies from those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Ms. Ralph also performs the one-woman play she wrote and directed, Sometimes I Cry, to tell the story of women impacted by the virus and disease. Ralph is the AIDS Ambassador for Jamaica and the recipient of the United Nations first-ever Red Ribbon award which recognized her unique utilization of the arts as part of her AIDS activism. Tickets for Divas Simply Singing on Saturday, August 22 at the Dell Music Center at 7pm can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

On May 25, Broadway Black met with Sheryl Lee Ralph backstage at Washington DC’s Howard Theatre before the one night only performance of Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, that is being presented in collaboration with Ms. Ralph and her D.I.V.A. Foundation.

The post Sheryl Lee Ralph Keeps Giving Back! 25th Annual Divas Simply Singing Benefit Concert appeared first on Broadway Black.