New Musical Focuses on Jacksonville Culture

At one point in Jacksonville’s history, the city was home to many original stage plays, movie production and even music legends.  A local writer/producer has set her sites on reviving that history. Recently, several hundred people attended the premier of the stage play “Duval the Musical,” a modern-day musical murder mystery that tells the tale of seven elite Jacksonvillians who remained friends since their high school years.

Each character has achieved a great professional success and hold prominent positions in the community, but each is hiding something dark that could catch up with them. The play essentially as the question of how many crimes or cover-ups can a person commit without getting caught and smearing their legacies? Will their relationship be strengthened or weakened due to their suspicious activities?

According to the writer, Duval the Musical showed the audience just how easy it is to commit crime if our desires are strong enough.

The play is the brainchild of Christavia Dickinson, graduate of Jacksonville Marine Institute. Growing up as a pastor child she sang and danced every Sunday at church. Her resume includes stints as an actress and providing background vocals for various plays.  Stepping outside of her comfort zone, Dickinson wrote the play to expand her portfolio. “Basically, I wanted to show the benefits and setbacks of living in Jacksonville,” she said.

Shown are cast members (left to right): Philip Williams, Anitra Jackson, Markin Barnes, Carolyn Elaine, Tekesia Johnson, Lynette Boles, Gequita Barnes, Aaron Woodson, Mary Sanders, Annetra Jackson, Alonzo McNealy, Bottom (left to right): Adrian Deion, Roby Dickinson, Kristavia Dickinson, Tanya Haynes-Cummings, Shannon Johnson.

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