Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Verona the troubled Cherry Garden wife (played by Maylynne Walton) has a panic attack as her sister's boyfriend Bobby (Maurice Bryan) wraps a scarf around her neck during rehearsal of 'Uptown Bangarag', at Little Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, on Tuesday, December 19. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

'These problems exist everywhere. My biggest problem with Jamaicans as a whole is they like passing judgement too much,' said Gunter.

Homosexuality, religion and politics are often hotly debated in open circles. But these topics, when condensed into a theatrical presentation, often prove a heady mix for most audiences.

It is no surprise, however, that Basil Dawkins' latest script was turned down by several directors.

"I am aware that Jamaican audiences want to see themselves in these stories, they want to think and discuss, but they make it very clear that they also want to laugh," said playwright and producer Dawkins.

Come December 27, Dawkins and director Jeffrey Anderson Gunter will push the envelope in Uptown Bangarang, which opens at the Little Little Theatre.

A controversial play

Based on what The Sunday Gleaner witnessed during a recent rehearsal, audiences should come prepared for a large helping of controversy.

According to Gunter, the play is not seeking to make light of the situations covered. Instead, it is trying to sensitise Jamaicans about harmful stereotypes.

"These problems exist everywhere. My biggest problem with Jamaicans as a whole is they like passing judgement too much," said Gunter.

"In everything else, Jamaica seems to be ready. Why not be ready for this? If they are not ready, they need to get ready. I say it is here and we have to deal with it."

Uptown Bangarang presents a middle-class family that is coming apart at the seams. Its matriarch (Maylynne Walton) has a hard time adjusting after she was assaulted, her sister Alma from New York (Ruth Ho Shing) seems to always have ulterior motives, her son's (Lawrence 'Max' Woodham/Richard Dickenson) sexuality is in question, and her religious husband(Andrew Lawrence/Douglas Prout) is trying to enter politics.

Things get more complicated when her household helper, Precious (Sakina), tries to climb her way to the top by any means necessary.

For Gunter, returning to Jamaica to work with the cast was only a fulfilment of what he dreamt of when he left Jamaica many years ago for Boston, Massachusetts. The award- winning international actor, producer and director left his Rollington Town community for life in the United States.

Educated at Excelsior High, he left for Boston University shortly after graduation, and worked for a short period as a journalist with his broadcasting degree.

Various roles

Gunter is mostly known as the dreadlocked Jamaican with roles in Marked For Death and Only The Strong. He has also appeared in The Young and The Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Arguably, though, he is remembered mostly for his dramatic face in Michael Jackson's Black and White video.

"I know I had something to offer that other people don't have. I wasn't a Jamaican actor, but an actor from Jamaica," Anderson said.

"My purpose on earth is to serve. When I am not serving, I don't feel right."