Former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams (left) stars in "What My Husband Doesn't Know."
Since writing his first play in 1991, David E. Talbert has expanded his entertainment empire as a writer, director and producer of urban theater.
His 13th play, "What My Husband Doesn't Know," opens Thursday at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis and plays through Nov. 5. The show stars Morris Chestnut, known for his roles in "Boyz n the Hood" and the television series "V," and actress Michelle Williams, a member of the former Destiny's Child group.
Also under Talbert's belt are three novels and a film he directed, "First Sunday," which starred Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan and Katt Williams. He received the 2008 NAACP Trailblazer Award for his accomplishments in theater.
A resident of Los Angeles, Talbert is currently on tour with his play. He was interviewed via phone in his Miami hotel room.
Q: After 13 shows, where do you keep getting new ideas?
A: I got a basement full of wizards that give me my latest ideas. Actually, it's just life. Real life. Talking to people, being around others. Writers are voyeurs. We live our lives vicariously through our characters. I have a lot of friends who tell me things in confidence but deep down they know they're going to be in there. I give them different names, of course.
Q: And what about "What My Husband Doesn't Know?"
A: For the last decade, I've been doing "pursuit of love" stories. This time I wanted to flip it a bit. What happens when someone has found love, but is still looking for it? I've been working on films lately and I wanted to bring in elements of film. This play is like a thriller. We start at the end and work backwards.
Q: What do audiences expect from your shows?
A: They want good stories. Good writing. Good sets. Good music ...
Q: Many urban theater shows have a spiritual message.
A: You're stereotyping.
Q: I've seen a bunch of them.
A: You haven't seen mine. You're stereotyping. There are no religious themes in my plays. If you asked Steven Spielberg about his latest film would you ask "Where are the aliens?" Would you ask Francis Ford Coppola, "Where is the Mafia?"
Q: How did you first get into writing?
A: In my 20s, I went to see a play that wasn't particularly entertaining. I thought I could do better. Neil Simon is my favorite playwright, along with the late, great August Wilson. But I love how Neil Simon can use comedy to tell a serious story.
Q: You wear so many different hats. Which do you prefer?
A: I'm a producer out of necessity. I'm a director because I don't trust others with my words. But primarily I'm a writer. From plays, to screenplays, to novels, I'm a writer. I grew up in the black church. My whole family is preachers and pastors, so language was very important to me.
Q: Like you, Tyler Perry has his fingerprints on every part of his productions. Do you have any kind of connection with him?
A: I know him well. He has his way of expressing his art. I have mine.
Q: You don't act, though.
A: I'm a writer. Acting is Tyler's lane. Not mine.
"What My Husband Doesn't Know"
Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 4, and 3 and 8 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 N. Main St. Tickets are $39.50-$51.50. Call (901) 576-1269.
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