Shawn Whitsell's HOUSE OF HARTS opens this Friday, 6/10 (Nashville)

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The Destiny Theatre Experience will present the debut of Shawn Whitsell's original play, "House of Harts," July 10-12 and 16-18 at the Darkhorse Theater. "House of Harts" depicts the life of the Harts, an average all-American family. The Hart family is made up of adult siblings Janet and Jamison Jr. (affectionately nicknamed Strawberry and June, respectively); Jamison Sr., the family patriarch and Leslie, a new addition to the family after having married Jamison, Sr. less than a year prior. Like any family, the Harts have challenges to overcome. Twenty three year old June is a non-ambitious, free-spirited college student who is only enrolled in classes because his father requires it in order for him to continue residing in the Hart household. Jamison, Sr., a marketing executive wants his only son to be just as successful as he and his daughter, Strawberry. Because of June's lack of drive and his carefree attitude, tensions between father and son are constantly rising and falling. Strawberry, having lost her mother over 20 years prior, is very much a "Daddy's girl" and is very suspicious of the motives of her father's new (and pregnant) wife, Leslie. There is a constant power struggle between Strawberry and Leslie that Jamison, Sr. is often caught in the middle of.

Rounding out the family is close friend/housekeeper, Annette, who has held the family together and helped Jamison, Sr. raise his children after his wife passed away several years prior. Though there are tensions that exist and obstacles to overcome, life inside the Hart household is fairly typical, that is, until Lamont, an overachieving intern at Jamison, Sr.'s marketing firm, temporarily moves in. Lamont ignites a chain of events that threaten to break family bonds and change the family forever.

In addition to Whitsell, "House of Harts" features performances by Mary McCallum, Dianne Dixon, Alicia Ridley, Jason R. McGowan II, Rashad Rayford, Jené India, Molly Breen and Tamiko Robinson.

Performances will b egin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the matinee show on Sunday, July 12th, which will begin at 3 p.m. Admission is $12 (there is a special half price show on Thursday, July 16th). The Darkhorse Theater is located at 4610 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37209. For reservations, call (270) 366-6266 or email destinytheatreexperience@yahoo.com. Visit myspace.com/destinytheatreexperience for more information.