Memphis playwright Cheryl Joyner-Clark’s Too Much, Too Little, Too Late stage play figures to draw rave reviews
Andre Johnson 
Editor’s Note: Photos below are those of the play’s cast members.
DALLAS — Cheryl Joyner-Clark is not just an accomplished author.
This native Memphian is also a thriving, progressive playwright whom, to her distinct credit, has added what many sense undoubtedly is her best work to her already impressive producer/director repertoire.
The owner and chief executive officer of Memphis-based CJC Productions, Joyner-Clark has written and produced a scintillating, ravishing stage play entitled, Too Much, Too Little, Too Late, an informative, tear-jerking, humorous, action-packed theatrical that depicts the story of a couple who engage in marital bliss, blissfully live happily ever after, all while simultaneously harboring the thoughts of savoring a life full of joy, peace, and happiness.
For starters, the wife had always dreamt of having a beautiful, fairy-tale-like wedding, but wound up experiencing a nightmare for the ages upon discovering that after making her way past the wedding cake and her beautiful dress, that marriage is more than just a mere fantasy.
In a nutshell, it “gets real,” Joyner-Clark wasted little time reinforcing during an exclusive interview this week with Making Headline News about her play, which will take place on April 29 at 5 p.m. CST at the Davis Center Theatre in Memphis.
In addition, Joyner-Clark acknowledged that her latest stage play will highlight, among other things, the events and day-to-day occurrences surrounding marriage, most notably the importance of couples learning to cohabitate as well as the pros and cons of learning to resolve problems and other potentially challenging issues they customarily endure (especially those involving in-laws).
STAR WATCH? Having found her niche for writing since she was a preteen, Clark-Joyner have been producing and directing plays since 1999. According to Eventbrite.com, she has penned, produced and directed a variety of stage plays, including In the Absence of My Father and Tell Hell I Ain’t Coming.
“It’s full of funny moments and some real moments, but overall this play leaves you with a great message,” Joyner-Clark explained.
All things considered, Joyner-Clark was quick to hint that a curtain-raiser of this magnitude is one in which her male counterparts ought not want to steer clear of. Surely, there are valid reasons why.
“Men tend to think these types of play will have a lot of male bashing,” Joyner-Clark said. “But what we soon will find out is that there are two sides to every story.”
Memphian Stella Faye Adams, a Mid-South-area educator and one of the seven cast members of the stage play, echoed that about which Joyner-Clark suggested.
“Too Much, Too Little, Too Late is a must see for those married, wanting to be married, as well as the singles,” said Adams who, like Clark-Joyner, is an alum of Memphis Manassas High. “It allows everyone to see that marriage is work. You have to consider the other person in all aspects of life. Never allow anyone or anything to come between you and your spouse.”
Having found her niche for writing since she was a preteen, Clark-Joyner have been producing and directing plays since 1999. According to Eventbrite.com, she has penned, produced and directed a variety of stage plays, including In the Absence of My Father and Tell Hell I Ain’t Coming.
Widely known also as a devoted songwriter, Joyner-Clark authored the novel, No More Sunday Mornings, a Blackwell Legacy written document that was released in November 2009 and is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
As for her latest project, Joyner-Clark said her mother, Clara Benson, and her pastor and beloved spiritual father — “he is my dad,” she said — Bishop Craig Baymon of Memphis’ Holy Temple Cathedral of Deliverance COGIC, were amongst those who inspired her to move forward with Too Much, Too Little, Too Late.
“(My mother’s) determination as a parent was to raise me the best she could despite of all her struggles,” Joyner-Clark said. “My grandmother, the matriarch of our family, (inspired me because of) her strong faith in God and her never-give-up attitude. My pastor, who saw the gift in me a long time ago, pushed me to use it and pursue it. Growing up without a father, he has always been that to me. He supports me in everything that I do. It is so important to have a nucleus of people who support you when you are tired and want to give up. They push you towards your greatness.”
By and large, Joyner-Clark’s latest play is just a continuation of a lifelong dream, coupled with the divine purpose for which God has blessed her, she said.
LOG ON NOW: www.cjcproductions.com
Plans are currently in the works to put her playwright talents on display outside of Memphis, most notably Auburn, Alabama in August and the Dallas/Fort Worth area in October.
“My dream as a child was to be an author and a great writer,” Joyner-Clark said. “Although I didn’t go to college, the gift remained inside of me. I didn’t silence it. I used it and, in using it, the craft got better. I want to encourage others to never give up on your dreams. Be who you were called to be. It’s possible.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and former sports reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson is the former chief adjutant to Elder Andrew Jackson, Sr. of Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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