We Are Excited!!! Rehearsals Have Begun for Our Next Production at MIDTOWN INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL – CRABS IN A BARREL
We are thrilled to announce that rehearsals are officially underway for our upcoming show, CRABS IN A BARREL, part of the prestigious Midtown International Theatre Festival! The energy is high, the cast is incredible, and we can’t wait to bring this powerful production to life on stage.
Mark your calendars for these showtimes:
- July 8th at 10:00 PM
- July 11th at 1:00 PM
- July 12th at 6:30 PM
All performances will be held at The American Theater for Actors, located at 314 West 54th Street, NYC.
Tickets are only $35.00 and can be purchased easily online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crabs-in-a-barrel-tickets-1989266701253?aff=oddtdtcreator
CRABS IN A BARREL is a gripping exploration of ambition, struggle, and the human spirit. We promise an unforgettable experience that will keep you thinking long after the curtain falls.
We can’t wait to see you all there! Come support live theater, enjoy a fantastic show, and be part of something special this summer in New York City. Thank you for your continued support – it means the world to us!
See you at The American Theater for Actors in July!
THE REVIEWS ARE IN FOR WHEN WE PRACTICE TO DECEIVE:
A Tangled Web Gives Way to Connection and Love: Jim Catapano reviews Reginald T. Jackson’s Hilarious and Heartfelt When We Practice to Deceive Shines at the Fresh Fruit Festival
With When We Practice to Deceive, performed at The Wild Project in Spring 2026, renowned playwright Reginald T. Jackson lets the trans community know that he sees, hears, and supports them. The delightful production is mostly lighthearted; as Jackson has observed, many theatrical dishes on pivotal subjects are best served with humor. Thus the characters are instantly familiar, sympathetic, and believable.
Veterinarian Kevin Cooper (Maddoux) is catching up in NYC with his Louisiana-residing mom Martha (Yvette Dingwall). He is late because he had just been in surgery to remove a dog’s spleen. “This is what you do with that expensive medical degree you have?” chides Martha, who wants to know when he’s going to find a nice partner. He in fact, has, in Lady Jasmine (Sunna Bee), and nervously plans to have them meet. He confides in Beth (Jasmyn Green), his friend at the hospital, over how to broach the subject that Lady Jasmine is a transgender woman to his kind-but-conservative mom. But Martha finds that out on her own, when sharing a restaurant restroom with Lady Jasmine before realizing that she’s her son’s new partner. The exchanges to follow are tense and realistic but with a light touch that keeps the audience engaged and sympathetic to all the characters. Martha claims to not drink (“you can’t serve both the lord and the bottle”) but then orders and chugs a Manhattan after the revelation. Bee pulls at the heartstrings as Lady Jasmine, wanting to be seen and accepted for who she is after being tragically disowned by her own parents. Cooper’s relatable Kevin is stressed to the high heavens, terrified that he will have to choose between Lady Jasmine and his own mother. But the wise and loving Martha comes around, embracing Lady Jasmine and (over) enthusiastically planning the wedding after the couple gets engaged right in front of her. “Don’t be so surprised, I’m capable of growth!” she announces to laughter and relief.
A charming and believable performance from Dingwall gives the story a warmth and realism; this is aided by a hilarious and effervescent Chetan Rao as Lady Jasmine’s BFF Diamond Dupree. Amiere A . Bell is Charlie the bartender, who oversees the events and provides a calming presence, as does Green’s charismatic Beth.
The entire cast brings a heart and depth to their characters that realize Jackson’s intent, and bring tremendous life to his witty and thoughtful dialogue. The road to the wedding is incredibly fun, but balanced with a sad moment when Lady Jasmine is once again confronted by her intolerant, dead-naming parents. It is a scene that is heartbreaking but necessary, as a reminder that violence against the trans community, both emotional and physical, is a tragic epidemic (as Jackson has observed).
Deftly directed by Kubbi, When We Practice to Deceive is, a Jackson puts it “a love letter to the trans community.” It’s an essential work that comes at a pivotal moment, and a triumph for Jackson and the cast and crew.
Bill Eisenring’s REVIEW of When We Practice to Deceive, written by Reginald T. Jackson, directed by Kubbi at the Fresh Fruit Festival:
In When We Practice to Deceive Reginal T, Jackson has given audiences a very enjoyable one act, kitchen sink theater piece. It seems that the play is biographical which is interesting because it is also universal. That is a rare combination. Of course, not everyone has to worry about whether their transgender fiancée is going to be accepted by their homophobic, Southern Babtist mother, but the story of marrying someone out of one’s cultural base and fear of familial rejection is very, very common. Jackson has written the story with the gentleness that allows audience to know that everything actually did work out with mutual acceptance and respect. Not exactly what an audience would expect to be the result, but Jackson’s writing rings with reality. The play itself deserves additional productions.
Hello Peeps,
My new production CRABS IN A BARREL is now fully casted with the great Asha John, Brian Patterson and Shania Shields. Of course this is an Actors Equity Showcase. KUBBI is still the director of all my work for the past two years. As if we didn’t need anymore good news we were told that CRABS IN A BARREL has been named a FEATURED PRODUCTION of the Midtown International Theatre Festival 2026. We will be closing out the festival!!!! I was also informed that TWO reviews of our production of WHEN WE PRACTICE TO DECEIVE as part of the FRESH FRUIT FESTIVAL 2026. Once I get the reviews I will be posting parts of each here so you all can join in our success.
Reginald T. Jackson is on the move. Since the last post I have been featured in the International Human Rights Art Festival in December 2025. Then we presented PERSONAL PURGATORY at the Player’s Theatre LUV Festival February 2026. Then we just closed WHEN WE PRACTICE TO DECIEVE at the FRESH FRUIT FESTIVAL on April 2026. Now we are going into auditions for my next production: CRABS IN A BARREL which will be featured in the MIDTOWN INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL in July 2026!!! I am happy to say I am the proud recipient of the PEN America Writer’s Fund Award. I am also being hosted in North Adams Mass. for the MASS MoCa gathering during JUNETEENTH Week!!!! I am also proud to say that I have had a number of plays accepted in Theatre Festivals both within and outside of the country. PERSONAL PURGATORY by the Belmont Dramatic Club Festival in Boston, MA. HEJIRA:FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE by the Black Men Talk Festival in Chicago and CHARACTER FLAWS at the NewMarket International Festival of one act plays in Ontario, Canada!!!
Hello Peeps,
BLACK IN THE FIRST DEGREE!!! Makes it’s Off-Broadway Debut on June 19th – 8pm at theatre Row Theatres, 410 West 42nd Street, NYC 10036. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.DUAFNYC.com. June 19th is also JUNETEENTH!!!! And I can think of no other time than for Black people to come out and support a Black Playwright’s work especially when it is about a issue that effects the whole Black community. BLACK IN THE FIRST DEGREE, is a raw and provocative look at why White Police Officers end of killing Black men who are unarmed and not a real threat to them. Please come out and support Reginald and the actors and director who bring his brilliant play to life!!!!
Great news!!! My play DEE’S DILEMNA which was produced by the FADE TO OBLACK FESTIVAL in Houston, Texas in June 2024 is now being selected as the BEST OF THE BEST OF SHORTS OF LAST YEAR. With that They will be producing DEE’S DILEMNA again, this June 2025!!!!
THE MAD WOMAN OF CHAILLOT is loose at the West Village Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 214 West Houston, Manhattan, New York. Me and a great group of actors presented the FIRST ACT of the play last Thursday, March 27 and the residents loved it!!! So we are going back to present ACT TWO. It is a wild play and a wild time and you are invited to attend if you want. It will start at 2pm. Thursday, April 3rd.
BLACK IN THE FIRST DEGREE……is going to make it’s world premiere off-Broadway on June 19th (Juneteenth) at 8pm. It is being produced by the DOWNTOWN URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL at the theatre 410 West 42nd street, Manhattan. The show starts 8pm sharp!!! Please put this in your schedule and bring as many friends as you can. This play is a provocative and visceral look at the dynamic between White Police Officers and Young Black Males. Seen in the “wrong” neighborhood at the “wrong time” causes a Young Black male to go from a citizen to a perp; by an over eager White Cop. They square off and it ends in tragedy!!!
Two exciting things happening in JUNE!!! My play BLACK IN THE FIRST DEGREE will be produced by the Downtown Urban Arts Festival on the 19th of June 2025. Also, My play DEE’s DILEMNA will be produced for the second time as part of FADE TO BLACK FESTIVAL in Houston Texas this June 2025. It was named Best Short from 2024 and will receive an ENCORE Production this year!!! I have joined both VILLAGE PLAYWRIGHTS and have been showcasing my work there and acting as well. I have joined TIGER’S HEART PLAYERS and have been showcasing my work there and acting as well. After 30 years I have chosen to re-start my acting career!!! This is my YEAR OF YES!!!! God came to me and told me that he was going to show up and show out in my life this year!!!! All I have to do is say YES!!! Lastly, I am up for FOUR Fellowships or Residencies; including one at JUILLIARD!!!! I should here more in June 2025. As always I ask that you pray for me as I will be praying for you!!!!
