Old National Centre | Indianapolis IN
A Culture Classic brought to life!
You ever walk into a show not knowing exactly what to expect, but you’re ready for the ride anyway? That was me heading into Jason’s Lyric — the stage play. Yes, you read that right. The 90s movie that had us all swooning and crying (sometimes at the same time) was brought to life on stage, thanks to producer Je’Caryous Johnson. I’ve seen a few of his productions before, and they’ve all been awesome, so I figured, okay, let’s see what he does with this one. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint!
First off, can we talk about the cast? I mean, ladies, brace yourselves — Allen Payne reprised his iconic role as Jason. That’s right, THE Allen Payne! It was like stepping back in time, and trust me, the crush is still alive and well. And taking on the role of Lyric, originally played by Jada Pinkett, was the stunning Eva Marcille — yes, the America’s Next Top Model winner herself. She brought a softness and strength to Lyric that felt fresh while still honoring the original.
But wait — it gets even better. Treach (of Naughty by Nature fame) returned as Alonzo, bringing that same intense energy we remember from the film. The powerhouse lineup didn’t stop there. Singer, K. Michelle portrayed Alonzo’s woman, and Lyric’s friend, Marti, originally played by Lisa Nicole Carson. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs stepped into the shoes of Mad Dog, originally played by Forest Whitaker, and let me tell you, he brought the fire. Victoria Rowell took on the role of the mother, Gloria (originally Suzanne Douglas), adding grace, heart…and dance. Playing Jason’s troubled brother, Joshua originally portrayed by Bokeem Woodbine, was none other than Tyrin Turner — a perfect casting choice.
The show itself? It followed the movie script pretty closely — I’d say about 98% true to form — and it was incredible to see how each scene translated from screen to stage. The emotional punches still hit hard, and there was just the right blend of drama and humor to keep things moving. Sure, there were a couple of moments that could’ve used a little more polish — like the gunshot scenes. If someone’s getting shot in a crisp white shirt, maybe have a little blood or something to show for it. It felt a bit too clean at times. And the set props could’ve had a little more oomph, but honestly, the cast’s performances more than made up for it.
Now, about the timing… The show was scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Old National Centre in Indianapolis. Well, let’s just say the cast arrived just before we did. The play finally kicked off around 4 p.m. — a whole hour later — but once things got rolling, it was worth the wait.
Je’Caryous Johnson delivered another solid production. Was it perfect? No. But was it an experience? Absolutely. I’ll definitely be catching another one of his shows — fingers crossed it starts on time! 🤞🏽
