Veteran television actors Hal Williams and Felton Perry will star in “Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking” at the Indian Wells Theater at the Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus beginning on Friday, Feb. 17.
Hal Williams and Felton Perry will star in “Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking” at the Indian Wells Theater at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus beginning on Friday, Feb. 17.
Gus Edwards’ funny and poignant story of rivalry, friendship and the journey of life revolves around two longtime acquaintances, Abe and Henry, who, despite the fact that they can’t stand each other, find themselves often sharing the same bench at the neighborhood park. Bitter rivals who once jostled for the love of the same woman, Abe and Henry are slowly coming to the conclusion that their long lives are more intertwined than either had ever imagined.
While younger people may take friendships for granted, research shows that maintaining friendships, socializing and staying physically active has a positive impact on older people’s quality of life. With limited income or mobility problems, it is far too easy for elderly people to become more and more isolated. In fact, isolation is associated with greater health problems and a poor quality of life.
In developing same-age friendships, people bond by disclosing similar life experiences and recalling historical events from different perspectives. A good network of friends provides the opportunity for learning, sharing and improving quality of life.
For the elderly, these social pastimes may play a critical role in preserving physical and mental health. Friendship and socializing among the elderly is very important during this state of life.
The play offers insight into these factors of friendship.
Williams has co-starred as a television series regular in nine primetime hit series and has established himself solidly in both the areas of comedy and drama. His 25-year professional career has seen him firmly plant both feet in such dramas as “Roots II: The Next Generation,” “The Waltons,” “Harry-O” and “L.A. Law,” while displaying his comedic genius in “The Sinbad Show,” “227” and “Sanford and Son.”
Perry has starred on the television show “Hooperman” as Inspector Clarence McNeil and has made guest appearances on many TV series, including “Adam-12,” “Ironside,” “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law,” “Cagney and Lacey,” “What’s Happening Now!,” “The Partridge Family,” “Barnaby Jones,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “N.Y.P.D. Blue,” “Judging Amy,” “Civil Wars,” “Murphy Brown” and “The West Wing.”
Show times are Friday, Feb. 17,at 7 p.m., Saturday Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24,at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling the Indian Wells Theater Box Office at (760) 341-6909. They can also be purchased securely on the theater’s website.
The Indian Wells Theater is located on the Palm Desert Campus of California State University, San Bernardino, 37-500 Cook St., in Palm Desert.
This play is partially funded by the University Diversity Committee.
For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the campus’s Office of Public Affairs at (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107 or msinger@csusb.edu.
