PRAISE FOR A GIRL'S GUILT TRIP

A Girl’s Guilt Trip – Hudson Backstage Theatre

Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck

The life of an artist is often deeply perplexed with many transformational consequences. Alretha Thomas, who wrote, co-produced, and co-directed with her husband Roy Thomas, her powerful new play, A Girl’s Guilt Trip, after more than three decades of being absent from the stage lights, returned to the theatre at full speed. During her absence she was writing and working on her craft while working through the fallout of her tragic and challenging childhood. Her role in the play reflects emotional aspects of her upbringing. After the events of her dysfunctional childhood, where she was sexually and physically abused, she needed time to heal to be able to face her true passion again – acting. Her mom’s early death when she was only fourteen years old added greatly to her already dramatic childhood.

This original stage play is set in Long Beach, CA during the summer of 2025. It centers around lifelong friends, Yolanda Banks, portrayed by Thomas, and Roberta Renee Lisa Jackson, portrayed by Marlynne Frierson-Cooley, who are fixed on the idea to fulfill their lifelong dream and visit the pyramids in Egypt.  Even though they are living with huge financial difficulties since they are semi-homeless, they dream of overcoming financial obstacles, facing the ghosts of their past, and fulfilling their dreams. But there are some additional obstacles that enter their world. Her daughter Amy Banks, strongly portrayed by Heather Daughtry, who commands the stage masterfully, enters her life when she needs her the most and leads her to safety. Jeff Minton is portrayed by Al LaFleur, and the voice of Timothy Jackson is portrayed by Roy Thomas.

Hard work and dedication are greatly expressed by all the actors, especially by Alretha Thomas, who obviously put all her love for theatre into this production. Very successful and wonderful. Bravo to the entire cast!

The understudies are Melissa Kaye Bontempt (Yolanda Banks), Lorinda Hawkins Smith (Roberta Renee Lisa Jackson), Amani Rose (Amy Banks) and Myers Clark (Jeff Minton).

Alretha Thomas stated, ‘My amazing cast and understudy cast. As the young people would say, they ate this production and left no crumbs. I will be forever grateful for their hard work and dedication. Much love to my co-star, Marlynne-Frierson Cooley, for stepping out of the box and joining me in learning our lines before our first rehearsal. What a feat!’

The Creatives are, Susan Bacon as a stage manager and assistant to the directors, James Daughtry created the set design, Michelle Elizabeth Vasquez is technical operator, Blanca Chivichon and Roman  Fosco are running crew members, Cheri Darling and Carolyn Johnson are production assistants, Tyreese Burnett is the art director, and the photos are taken by Leonard Conner.

The opening night was completely sold out. The exceptional and exquisite work had a visible emotional impact on the audience, and the show became memorable theater.

A Girl’s Guilt Trip is playing at Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Los

Angeles, CA 90038. The running of the show is from Fri, Oct 10 – Sun, Oct 26.                        The performances are on Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm.              The dates are Oct 10,11,12,17,18, 19, 24,25, 26. The Sunday, October 19th 3pm performance will be an understudy performance.  Running time: 105 minutes. The theatre has concessions and special wheelchair access. There will be an intermission. Ticket price is $35.00.  You can purchase Tickets through the link: