Stage and screen multi-hyphenate Nadia Matthews is showcasing her very own personal past relationship troubles, with her stage play “Red Flags.”
Matthews is a writer, producer, director and founder of Lily Roze Acting Studio – a nonprofit dramatic arts organization located at 810 S. Main St.
“Red Flags,” a scandalous tear-jerking stage play infused with comedy and entertainment, explores the true story of Nadia Matthews.
“Red Flags” was the first title to come to mind, because all I could think about during the healing process was, ‘I missed every red flag he presented.’”
“The play begins when he proposed to me. My first-ever sold-out show at the Landers Center, my then-boyfriend executed an extravagant wedding proposal for me. I was extremely excited and head over heels in love and of course, I said yes. We seemed to have the perfect relationship.
“At the time, smiling, cajoling and sweet-talking his way through it seemed to be perfect, however the relationship grew toxic quickly and eventually led to him disappearing two months before our wedding date,” said Matthews.
“After spending time trying to pick up the pieces and adjust to life without the person I had begun planning my life with, I started to realize all of the signs – also known as red flags – I had missed.”
“Red Flags” is packed with action. It uses acting, spoken word, music, singing and improvisational dance to illustrate the couple’s journey from fairytale to nightmare.
“The ending will be explosive!” said Matthews.
“Every scene is loaded with phenomenal acting, entertaining drama, relatable content, and an overall great message,” said Matthews. “I hope my vulnerability in creating “Red Flags” heals and/or helps another person.”
The hard work of a talented cast sells the material in ways that largely overcome the Lifetime Network-style melodramatics. The entire cast consists of local Memphis actors and actresses.
“Red Flags” will be showing at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Landers Center. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by visiting the Landers Center box office, lilyrozestudios.com or contact Nadia Matthews at 901-602-1686.
