VI Degress

Sat., Sept. 13, 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 14, 7 p.m.; $25, Mandell Theatre, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St., 610-453-6365, gokashproductions.com.

by Mark Cofta

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Published: Sep 11, 2008

THEATER

This new play by Lincoln University grad Kash Goins dangles an intriguing juxtaposition: Goins' background as a writer, director and actor of morality plays in the drama ministry of Philadelphia's Sharon Baptist Church, and the controversially unholy activities he portrays — extramarital affairs, prostitution, unprotected sex and "living on the down low" (closeted homosexuality) — all linked to disturbingly high HIV/AIDS rates in the African-American community. Workshopped at the Painted Bride, VI Degrees was called "very entertaining but sobering, shockingly serious" by former Freedom Theatre artistic director Walter Dallas.

Goins hopes VI Degrees adds to the growing urban-theater genre, in which contemporary issues of faith are explored with candor outside the church through humor, melodrama and moral messages. Goins' other plays, like The Pastor and his Sign, address his experiences dealing with Philadelphia's rising youth violence and "stop snitching" culture, but he admits that VI Degrees is unique: "It's my first play where in the creation phase, the written characters took over and didn't need my voice, views or experiences to speak." Actors Anthony Harris, Charlene Miller, Donnie Hammond and Goins himself plunge into dangerous topics that, as the title implies, affect us more than we realize.

Sat., Sept. 13, 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 14, 7 p.m.; $25, Mandell Theatre, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St., 610-453-6365, gokashproductions.com.

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