One of this year’s popular stage productions will be making a highly anticipated return this month.
“Hand-me-down Heartache,” a musical created by the husband and wife duo of Robert Jackson and Tajuana “T.J.” Butler-Jackson, will be shown in an encore presentation Sept. 28 at the Warren Performing Arts Center.
“Hand-me-down Heartache” is based on T.J. Butler-Jackson’s No. 1 Essence Magazine bestselling novel Hand-me-down Heartache, and will showcase love and resilience.
She noted that the musical is designed to address a variety of challenges faced in many families, but has a particular emphasis on giving hope to those who are coping with domestic abuse.
“The musical mostly deals with physical and verbal abuse and how it can be overcome,” said Butler-Jackson, who is the musical’s writer and director. “We take a close look at the issue of taking a stand for yourself within the family line. We also highlight faith, love and God’s grace.”
Butler-Jackson added that the topic has a place in her heart because domestic abuse has occurred on both sides of her family.
“I always wanted to inspire people with the book and explore abuse in a different way,” Butler-Jackson said. “Honestly, I don’t know if I thought it would ever be a musical (laughs), but I definitely wanted to see those characters on stage. I thought they would really have a powerful impact that way.”
Robert Jackson, the musical’s producer, said it addresses issues that are often not discussed in the Black community, such as abuse and alcoholism, that breed anger and dysfunction among families that should be united.
“There has been dysfunction in the Black community for years and it’s time for us to address it. We hope to do that with this production,” he said.
Featured in “Hand-me-down Heartache” will be a variety of special guests who portray some of the leading characters. Among them are Sandy Lomax, who portrays Ms. Vera and has sung jazz selections in venues around the world; Deaon “Forever” Smith (Smitty), an energetic performer who leads a popular local band; up-and-coming R&B vocalist Solomon “Solo U Kno” Allen (LJ Love), classically trained singer Dionna “Dutchez” Duvall (Brianna) and comedian Donald “Fo Sho” Martin as Pastor Simmons.
“We are proud to have an extremely talented cast,” Jackson-Butler said.
Robert Jackson and T.J. Butler-Jackson have emerged as a well-respected couple based on their efforts to help empower the community through their books, speaking engagements and the musical.
Butler-Jackson, who was born in Indianapolis and raised in Hopkinsville, Ky., is best known as an author who has released such well received novels as Just My Luck, Sorority Sisters, and The Night Before Thirty, along with a book of poetry, The Desires of a Woman: Poems Celebrating Womanhood.
Butler-Jackson, who grew up in an abusive household that caused her anxiety, was always interested in writing. However, she thought she would become a teacher. T.J. Butler studied at the University of Louisville where she majored in English and political science. She eventually joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which inspired her first book Sorority Sisters in 1998.
Robert Jackson is well known as a sought after author and motivational speaker.
Jackson grew up in the rough section of the Brightwood area as “an angry young man” who also had domestic violence in his home and always had to cope with the possibility of being assaulted, bullied or robbed.
After attending Western Kentucky College, he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. However, when an injury ended his football career, Jackson turned to using his experiences to inspire others.
Today, Jackson is author of No More Excuses: Black Men Stand Up!, No More Excuses: Put a Stop to Bullying and other titles in the No More Excuses series.
Together, the couple, who have been married for almost seven years and have two children, hope “Hand-me-down Heartache” will change the lives of the people who see it.
“This musical goes into so many different areas that are ignored in many families, and this musical is so fitting for our community because there’s some broken people out there and we want to let them know that through God’s grace you can be fixed and you can be changed,” Jackson said. “We also want them to be entertained and dancing in their seats.”
