The Play

The piece is written by Playwright Battle who is a writer for The Baltimore Times, and directed by Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Health Officer for Baltimore County. Dr. Branch’s interest in Medicine dates back to his childhood, seeing a former neighbor struggle with addiction, who ultimately succumbs to an overdose. The production speaks to addiction across multiple platforms, including eating disorders and prescription drug abuse. “Serenity House: From Addiction to Deliverance” also touches on domestic violence, incest, and child sex trafficking. Randy “Fruity” Roberts, a real-life former drug dealer who turned his life around, portrays “James Franklin” in the production, and performs Watch Me Work from his hit CD This Is My Story This is My Song featuring “Kingdom.” SERENITY, Caldwell-Bowen, and Jefferson perform several gospel favorites throughout the production. Renowned musician Howard “Buddy” Lakins, Jr. is the Musical Director for the powerful show, which also includes original music composed by the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University student Allen Branch. The production’s storyline centers around the journey six men and women - who are three months in recovery, take after arriving at the imaginary United in Victory Tabernacle on the Hill Freewill Catholic Baptist and Episcopal Church of God in Christ’s newly opened “Serenity House.”  

Through ministry, music, an unforgettable story, and dance, the production takes a heart-wrenching, yet heart-warming look at the devastating impact that addiction has on society –particularly on families that in some cases, spans generations. The production also highlights the supernatural power of God to help us overcome, and the transformative power of forgiveness. The production is also the impetus for Playwright Battle’s new novel, Serenity House: From Addiction to Deliverance, which is also drawing rave reviews, and features her original poem I Rose Above It All. The book’s Foreword is written by Dr. Branch. The performances are dedicated to the late poet Maya Angelou and “Cynthia,” a woman who overdosed in front of the building where auditions for the production were held, but was revived by the NARCAN nasal spray. Ursula V. Battle’s “Serenity House” is rated PG-13 due to some strong content and profanity. For additional information, call (443) 531-4787 or visit www.battlestageplays.com.