'The Clean Up Woman'

JD Lawrence plays seven roles in 'The Clean Up Woman.'

Top line: The dramedy from JD Lawrence follows the story of journalist Terri Adams, who hangs up her newlywed domestic apron for a six-figure TV anchor job. When her supportive hubby demands she clean up her act on the home front, she hires a local cleaning service to handle the job.

But "the clean up woman" may be picking up more than what's outlined in the job description.

The cast includes Lawrence (known as "the man of many faces," he carries seven roles in the play), Telma Hopkins, Christopher Williams, Jackee Harry and comedian George Willborn.

Lawrence credits God for his inspiration, and also draws on people he knows and situations he comes across with friends and family. "I don't have a clean up woman!" he's quick to add, laughing.

That situation in the play brings temptation into the picture as well as a host of comedic possibilities.

"I just want to make something smart, witty—something that when people come to see it, they will be entertained from the moment they walk in the door to the moment that they walk out," Lawrence says.

Williams has the lead male role and Trisha Mann plays his wife. Hopkins has the role of the leading lady's mother and Harry plays Jasmine, who's not the clean up woman, but who has the play's second story line.

And Lawrence? He's all over the cast, playing a 72-year-old white man, a 69-year-old African-American man, a 45-year-old rap artist, a Hindu cab driver, Jose the janitor, a stylist named Orlando and Mr. Jesse, "the mailman from hell." Costumes, makeup and a ton of folks backstage help propel him through the 21 changes in the show. "My wardrobe lady is fabulous. ... I drive her nuts, I'm pretty sure."

The tied knot: The play focuses on marriage, "that you have to have a strong sense of communication in marriage, loyalty and trust in marriage," Lawrence says.

He cautions theatergoers to arrive on time. Latecomers might miss an important, intricate part of the show.

The show's been on tour since October and recently sold out eight shows at the Dallas Convention Center. "We were the highest grossing stage play—broke the box-office record there," Lawrence says.

The show sold out, too, in Philadelphia and Charlotte.

He attributes that to "good theater." The draw is a combination of word-of-mouth and advance buzz.

This will mark his first trip to Jackson.

"I think people are ready for some smart theater, something witty."

The play's music isn't the traditional urban theater type, but songs placed well in the story line and part of the script. "Nobody's singing their hit songs in the show."

They're Broadway-feel type songs, including jazz and a Rat Pack number, written by Lawrence especially for the show. "I've had a show off-Broadway called Colorblind for seven years ... so I come from that world."

Lawrence launches his first television sitcom, Community Service, to air on the Gospel Music Channel in 2010. Hopkins and Harry are with him in it.

"The same characters that I play in the stage show, I'm also playing in the TV show. Of course, I have a lot more room with TV. So I'm bouncing back and forth." It's one big entertainment loop.