North Carolina Central University student actors hope to garner laughs at the opening of the Samm-Art Williams’ play, “The Dance on Widow’s Row,” Friday, February 12, at 8 p.m., at the University Theatre. The NCCU production is part of a series of events scheduled for Black History Month during the NCCU Centennial Year celebration. The play is set in the fictional coastal town of Port Town, N.C., and features four widows who have buried nine husbands between them – some under questionable circumstances. The widows invite four of the town’s most eligible bachelors to an intimate gathering, hoping to find true love, again.

“It is my pleasure to bring this hilariously funny play to the stage at the University Theatre,” said Kenneth Hinton, director, and visiting instructor at NCCU. Hinton first saw the play in 2001 at the National Black Theater Festival, and then appeared in the Raleigh Little Theater production in 2003 as “Randolph Spears.” With strong comparisons to “Arsenic and Old Lace,” Hinton is optimistic that the audience will have a memorable theatre experience. “The play is so funny and lighthearted; you will laugh until you cry.”

Actors Rachel Smith, Ashley Chestang, Tara-Whitney Rison, Johnanna Burwell, Corwin Evans, Yuri Brown, and Malcolm Green complete the cast of seven who will test out their comedic timing. “This is a challenge for the student actors, to play older men and women,” said Hinton, “that’s part of why I wanted to bring this production to NCCU.” Hinton is confident that the students are more than up for the challenge of aging themselves by 20 years or more.

Playwright Williams is best known for the critically acclaimed production, “Home,” which earned a Tony nomination for best play in 1980. A native of Burgaw, N.C., Williams served as artist-in-residence at NCCU in 2008. He has authored numerous stage plays, and was co-executive producer of the television series, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and writer for “Martin,” and “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.”

The play will run February 12, 13, 19 and 20, with shows at 8 p.m. nightly, and February 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students with college identification, seniors, and children 4 to 17 years old. Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted. Tickets can be purchased at the NCCU Ticket Office, (919) 530-5170.