"Jamaica Farewell"

One-Woman Caper From Jamaica to US: "Jamaica Farewell"

After successful runs all over the world, "Jamaica Farewell" comes to the Mesquite Arts Center. Debra Ehrhardt's solo show is based on the mostly true story of her journey to the U.S. from Jamaica during the turbulent 1970s. As an 18-year-old secretary, Ehrhardt had a chance encounter with a handsome CIA agent over a bowl of soup. Jumping on this chance opportunity, she plans to escape to the U.S. with the help of the love-struck American. Her exit is blocked by numerous obstacles: an alcoholic father, a Bible-spouting mother, the price of airfare, and U.S. government suspicions. She nonetheless begins a dangerous adventure that only the single-minded passion of a teenage girl would chance. When in desperation she agrees to smuggle a million dollars to a mysterious contact somewhere in Miami, the agent becomes her unwitting accomplice. Every part is played by NAACP Award winner Ehrhardt, an actress capable of amazing mimicry. This one-woman caper's got generous dollops of humor and laughter and has been optioned for a film by a major Hollywood producer.