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Arts & Entertainment

'Green Grass' to premiere at 7 Stages in L5P

L.A. Bonds thinks Little Five Points is just the ticket for her new gospel play

It’s not just any day that a Little Five Points marquee touts a gospel stage play for one weekend only. Which is exactly why L.A. Bonds wanted to mount “Green Grass” here.

Bonds, a playwright and director who runs L.A. Bonds Studios in Ormewood Park, has spent this summer gearing up for the world premiere of her seventh script, “Green Grass,” a gospel play with eight actors. Four performances are slated for August 13 and 14 at .

“One of the things I enjoy as an artist,” Bonds said, “is to tap into areas, such as this one [Little Five Points], where you wouldn’t normally see a certain type of show. I wanted to go ahead and put my new play out there at 7 Stages because I love that artsy and eclectic part of town and also because I believe the area needs a gospel voice.

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A gospel voice?

“I am very particular about putting my plays in areas where people don’t usually have a lot of exposure to gospel and spirituality. You see a lot of hard rock and shows with a hard edge in Little Five Points, but ‘Green Grass’ is something different that should hopefully connect with audiences in a very personal and meaningful way.”

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The title is a nod to the notion that the “grass is always greener” someplace else, Bonds said — or the grass might be a whole lot brighter and greener with someone other than the one you’re with.

A 90-minute play with strong religious convictions, “Green Grass” is set in a police precinct; the characters either work there, are related to someone who works there, or find themselves there. The original play, which Bonds hopes to take on tour, blends humor, Christian beliefs, and five original gospel songs by Mark Rock Nelson. The subject matter includes a number of issues that women confront — from wrestling with infidelity and divorce, to the question of what defines love, to a partner’s emotional abuse.

Originally from Detroit, Bonds lives in Sandy Springs with her husband, a minister, and their 2-year-old son. Among her previous plays that have been produced: “Son of The Living God,” the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the perspective of Mary Magdalene.

As an artist, Bonds strives to create plays that are as educational as they are entertaining, and a goal is to raise awareness about important social issues. Her studio at 749 Moreland Ave., is focused on producing contemporary and gospel plays that “offer solutions to relevant issues people face every day.

“My mission & goal above everything is to enrich and enhance the lives of people in Atlanta,” she said.

Another aim is to give people of different ages and from different backgrounds the opportunity to experience theater production. For example, LaShonda Jones, who has worked as a model, will be making her stage debut in a pivotal role.

“As a little girl, I grew up in a rough neighborhood,” Bonds said. “I always wanted to not blend in. I mean, I just never liked recess and all that. But I discovered that being on stage and everything to do with the performing arts was phenomenal. My parents worked as many jobs as possible to put me through a performing arts school. Now it’s wonderful for me to be able to lead others toward discovering what they can do on stage. You can learn a lot about yourself in taking that journey.”

Somewhere along the way, Bonds decided that her strengths were behind the scenes — as a playwright, motivator and director. “Basically, my acting skills suck,” she said, with a hearty laugh.

Bonds was once in an abusive relationship herself, and has drawn on that experience in writing “Green Grass.”

“I didn’t have the knowledge to get out when I should have,” she recalled, “but I did get out and I know what the signs are: the dating relationship where the male continually degrades the young lady and never encourages her. But she’s still into this man and can’t let go of him because he fulfills a certain part of her need, which is that she doesn’t want to be lonely.”

It is her hope that her new play — her first for Atlanta audiences — will give women who “suffer this silent epidemic” courage to change their paths. To that end, a final preview performance of “Green Grass” is to be staged for residents of women’s shelters in the metro area.

“Let’s bring the awareness level up every chance we can,” Bonds said. And “let’s transform the typical stage play into a journey of self discovery and inspiration and spiritual awakening.”

You can almost feel a gospel number about to hit some high notes.

If you go: “Green Grass” is a world premiere written and directed by L.A. Bonds, with music and lyrics by Mark Rock Nelson. In addition to Nelson, the cast features: LaShonda Jones, Tim Tillman, Brkal Burch, LuJuana Haynes, Ka’dell “Kwame” Ervin, Kym Becton and Courtland B. Toney. Produced by L.A. Bonds Studios and Ebony Vanguard Productions. Performances: 1pm & 7pm Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 at 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave., in Little Five Points. Tickets: $20; $17 each for groups of five or more. www.greengrass.eventbrite.com 678-837-5884.

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