Dennis Rowe—writer, director, producer—returns with his latest stage production, “Love In All the Wrong Faces,” presented by Dennis Rowe Entertainment as part of the 2025 Broadway N Black Theatre Series.
Following last month’s “Strictly From The West Side,” a soulful reimagining of “West Side Story,” Rowe and his team are set to bring this audience favorite to life with a four-show run at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica on April 11–13.
(courtesy photo)
Dennis Rowe’s first production, “Port Chicago 50,” launched as part of the Black N Theater series, dramatized the 1944 munitions explosion near San Francisco that killed 320 people and led to the unjust conviction of 50 Black sailors who refused to continue working under unsafe conditions. The show, which Rowe recalls “literally finished a week prior to theaters [and] the world kind of being shut down,” helped shed light on this often-overlooked moment in American history.
In a meaningful twist of fate, on July 17, 2024 — Rowe’s birthday and the 80th anniversary of the disaster — the Secretary of the Navy signed an order to exonerate all 256 sailors of the Port Chicago blast.
Related Stories
Academy Gold Rising: Cultivating the Next Generation of Filmmakers at the 2025 Oscars
REACH LA’s 3rd Annual Gala Honors LGBTQ+ Trailblazers on the Red Carpet
“We’re sure it didn’t happen because of us,” Rowe humbly shared, “but at least we’re a part of the story now.”
Based on the book of the same name by St. Louis native Reverend Laval W. Belle, “Love In All The Wrong Faces” was Rowe’s first adaptation — commissioned directly by Belle.
“The book uses the biblical story of the woman at the well, who had five husbands, to explore the many forms of love,” Rowe explains. “He used that story to illustrate the different types of love.”
While not explicitly billed as a gospel show, the production is rich with spiritual energy.
“The music is fantastic,” he adds. “It’s toe-tapping, hand-clapping—hilarious and dramatic.”
NeiCe Knight, who originated the title role of Destiny, will reprise her performance in the upcoming production.
“She’s a phenomenal singer and actor,” says Dennis Rowe. Knight, the founder of the nonprofit 3in1Experience Inc., which focuses on youth development through the arts, is “deeply committed to mentoring young people and introducing them to the world of entertainment.”
Knight’s male co-star and leading man is, as Rowe announces, “another fantastic, phenomenal singer-actor”— Mychael Monte-Q. A frequent collaborator with Rowe, Monte-Q plays Charles, Destiny’s husband, who also serves as a father figure in the story.
Rounding out the six-person cast: Darrell Philip plays Phil, the wealthy, gift-giving husband; Robert Taylor Jr. brings youthful energy to the role of Gerald, the fun-loving partner who makes Destiny feel young again; Rodney Cox portrays Lester, the smooth-talking playboy who satisfies her physical desires; and Michael-Ryan Reed plays Gabriel, Destiny’s son.
Although originally scheduled to debut in St. Louis, the original production, directed by Rowe, ultimately premiered in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on his early days, Dennis Rowe admits, “I didn’t know what I was doing.” But with time, he has gained the experience and confidence to approach theater with greater clarity and purpose.
“Now that I’m a little wiser,” he says, “I can maneuver more effectively—I kind of know what I’m doing.”
Rowe notes that his creative instincts have also deepened over the years. “I have a better feel and a richer imagination for theater—especially in guiding the audience’s journey. I think I’ve developed a stronger grasp on how to shape that experience.”
Grab your seats now at Eventbrite—search Broadway N Black. Tickets are only $40. Don’t miss your chance to experience “Love in All the Wrong Faces” live on stage!
