Benefiting the Fight Against Diabetes

Media Kit

San Diego, CA, June 2, 2011-Jennifer Holliday announced today that she will be joining the cast of the highly anticipated sold out stage play entitled “Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies!.

Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies! (SLSP) debuted in Dallas, TX –November 2009 with a sold out audience. Since its debut, it has become the most highly anticipated theatre production of 2011. The plot involves a successful and handsome ladies man (DeAndre Fellows) who’s been living the high life as a player. He falls in love with a stubborn Christian woman who is the lady of his best friend’s (Stan) dreams. Things start to Spiral Out of Control! Stan blows up over DeAndre stealing the lady of his dreams; while some of DeAndre’s lovers are being Murdered- and others are becoming Psychotic! Everyone is a suspect for murder. You will laugh as his friends Stan and Squirm try to help him. Is the murderer DeAndre? Stan? If not, who is the real murderer? A whole cast of suspects and it could be anyone. Motives, clues….the audience will be laughing on the edge of their seats solving the sweetest murder mystery to ever hit the stage!

Miss Holliday is legendarily known for creating and portraying the dramatic role of Effie White in the original Broadway production of “Dream Girls”; and her captivating signature song “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”. Miss Holliday will be joining the cast of

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Media ContactMerci JeighKendyl Ryan & Associates(775) 234-8271(469) 579-23061-888-339-9555mercij@kendylryan.com Twitter: princessmercij/MerciJeighPRFacebook: Merci Jeigh

Jennifer Holliday the Original “Dream Girl” and 2X Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist Comes to Dallas in the Sold Out Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies!

For Imm

ediate Release- June 2, 2011

San Diego, CA, July 22, 2011-Christian Keyes joins Jennifer Holliday for a 3-day performance of “Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies! August 12-14, 2011 at the Dallas Convention Center (TBAAL-Naomi Bruton Theater). The play is written and directed by T.D Ballard; and produced by T.D Ballard and Midas Touch Productions. Music Direction of Tyler Perry’s Mike Frazier.

Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies! (SLSP) debuted in Dallas, TX –November 2009 with a sold out audience. SLSP will be performed at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters located at 650 South Griffin Street-Dallas, TX 75202- August 12-14, 2011. Since its debut, it has become the most highly anticipated theater production of 2011 with record high pre-sales. www.ticketmaster.com.

Play DescriptionSuspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies! is a modern day murder mystery dramedy (drama and comedy), with life lessons and spiritual connectedness. “This play evokes your every emotion and will have you laughing out of your seat…," said Lady Jade, morning show host- K104FM. The plot deals with a successful and handsome ladies’ man (De Andre Fellows) who has been living the high life as a player. His life takes a turn for the worst when his ladies are being murdered one by one and he is the prime suspect. In the midst of all the drama he falls for a stubborn Christian woman and is clueless on how to win her heart.

De Andre’s hilarious family members and eclectic friends Stan and Squirm try to help him solve the murder. Everyone is a possible suspect. Motives, clues, the audience will be on the edge of their seats solving the sweetest murder mystery to hit the stage. Dallas Weekly play critic AnToinette Nevil wrote, “This play was not only good, but inspirational- on and off the stage…the play covered real topics played by real people…”.

TicketsTicketmaster outlet, TBAAL box office (214) 743-2400, Buttons Restaurant, or visit www.liesandplaysstageplay.com

CAST:Jennifer Holliday, Christian Keyes, D. Elli$, Lady Jade, Big Chief, Lauren Ashley, Amelia Jeffries, Keith Douglas, Mike Frazier, and T.D Ballard as Miss TT

Tyler Perry’s Christian Keyes Joins Broadway Star Jennifer Holliday on Stage for Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies! Benefiting the Fight Against Diabetes August 12-14 Dallas, TX

For Imm

ediate Release- July 22, 2011

Read More at www.liesandpiesstageplay.com

Read More at www.liesandpiesstageplay.com

Review- D

allas Weekly N

ovember 2009

D Ballard productions is a minority-owned entertainment company that delivers inspirational and thought

provoking theater performances. The organization was founded in 2008 by Playwright, Director and Actress T.D Ballard, a

single mother working 2 jobs with a passion for theater and a desire to help others. She was inspired to provide a platform

for real actors to deliver real messages on stage through an innovative approach to theater called “dramedy”, comedy and

drama. Miss Ballard’s plays are created to evoke your every emotion and deliver life lessons and spiritual connectedness. Her

dramedies educate people on healthy lifestyles and deliverance. Since its inception, T.D Ballard Productions has produced

several plays to include “360 Degrees Against the Odds” and the highly anticipated national stage play “Suspicion! Lies! and

Sweet Potato Pies!” (SLSP).

SLSP debuted in November 2009 at the Majestic Theatre (Dallas, TX). The production sold out six shows and received a 5 Star

Review, Dallas WeekLy-Novemnber 2009. With its success, T.D Ballard earned the reputation of the “Female Tyler Perry” and

caught the attention of a respected investment group who partnered with T.D Ballard Productions as the executive producer

of SLSP. The partnership would allow for SLSP to secure the national talent of Broadway Star, 2 Time Grammy Award

Winning Artist, Original Dream Girl Jennifer Holliday and Tyler Perry’s Christian Keyes.

T.D Ballard Productions is partnered with the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute (DHWI) and the F.O.K.K.U.S

Foundation in the Fight Against Diabetes.

To schedule an interview please contact: Merci Jeigh: (469) 579-2306 mercij@kendylryan.com

The Company

About T.D Ballard Productions!

The Sweetest Dram-edy (drama and comedy) Murder Mystery to Hit the Stage

De Andre is a successful and handsome ladies man who has been living the high life as a player. However, his ladies are being murdered one by one and he is the prime suspect. In the midst of all the drama he falls for a stubborn Christian woman and is clueless on how to win her heart- but his praying mom is in his corner.

De Andre’s hilarious family members and eclectic friends Stan and Squirm try to help him solve the murder. Everyone is a possible suspect. Motives…clues, the audience will be on the edge of their seats solving the sweetest murder mystery to hit the stage!

Cast: Jennifer Holliday, Christian Keyes, Big Chief, D. Elli$, Lady Jade, Lauren Ashley, Amelia Jeffries, Music by Mike Frazier of Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Class Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and

Meet the Browns; and Special Guest Appearance by Teresa Ballard as “Miss TT”.

Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies! Starring Broadway Star, Original Dream Girl, and 2X

Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist Jennifer Holliday; and Tyler Perry’s Christian Keyes from “Diary of a Mad Black

Woman” and “Madea Goes to Jail” Benefiting The Fight Against Diabetes

through the F.O.K.K.U.S Foundation

Synopsis

Schedule: Dallas, TXAugust 10-14, 2011-The Black Academy of Arts and Letter/Naomi Bruton Theater (10,000 Seats)

Wednesday August 10, 2011- Media and Promotions for Cast

Thursday August 11, 2011- Dress Rehearsal-Promotions for National Talent

Friday August 12, 2011- 8pm: Opening Night

followed by Cast After Party

Saturday August 13, 2011-Showtimes: 3pm/8pm

Sunday August 14, 2011-Showtimes: 3pm/7:30pm

History/Considerations

•SLSP premiered with an unprecedented, sold-out 6 pilot shows in Dallas, TX ((Majestic Theater) , with the absence of a national talent-Received a 5 star review (Dallas Weekly).

•National Tour upon successful Dallas production.

•Benefiting the Fight Against Diabetes through the F.O.K.K.U.S Foundation

Cast

•Jennifer Holliday: Singer/Songwriter

•Christian Keyes: Singer/Actor

•Big Chief: Hip Hop Artist/National Spokesperson

for Diabetes

•D. Ellis: Comedian/Actor

•Lauren Ashley: Singer/Songwriter

•Amelia Jeffries : Actor/Model/Host/Spokes

model

•Teresa D. Ballard:

Actress/Writer/Producer/Director

Music by Mike Frazier: Music Director for Tyler

Perry’s Meet the Browns, Madea's Class Reunion,

Madea's Family Reunion, and Diary of a Mad

Black Woman.

Current Season

urrent Season

A native of Dallas, TX, T.D. Ballard began her writing career at the age of 17. The gift of writing became apparent when she wrote award winning monologues for regional and national beauty pageants. While in college she launched her acting career on television as the co-host of a hip hop talk show (Just Loungin). She discovered a passion for television and began to enroll in acting classes.

T.D. Ballard represented the Dallas Model Group in the Model American International Talent Competition at the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. She took home several 1st place awards advancing thousands of contestants. Following her success in New York, she came home to Dallas where she auditioned for The Potter’s House Annual Christmas Play; where she landed a lead role. It was then when T.D realized her true love for the stage.

She has written, directed, produced and appeared in many theater performances to include He Aint My Man, A Place Called Hell, 360 Degrees Against the Odds and now the national stage play “Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies!” (SLSP).

T.D Ballard, a single mother working two jobs, took a leap of faith and invested her earnings into the Dallas pilot production of SLSP. SLSP debuted in November 2009 at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, TX with an unprecedented, sold-out audience for all 6 shows, with the use of local talent. SLSP received a 5 star review.

T.D earned the reputation of “The Female Tyler Perry” and caught the attention of a very well respected investment group who partnered with T.D Ballard Productions as the Executive Producer of “Suspicion! Lies! and Sweet Potato Pies!.

Miss Ballard continues to give Dallas credit for her success and has a need to support something much greater. T.D Ballard Productions has partnered with the F.O.K.K.U.S Foundation in The Fight Against Diabetes. She will use her plays as an avenue for exposure and awareness.

T.D Ballard- Playwright/Director/ActressT.D

Ballard- Playwright/D

irector

Mike has toured with artist such as Kirk Franklin, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, La Shun Pace

and Ann Nesby. He has appeared on live recordings of Bishop T.D. Jakes and gospel great

James Moore. For the past several years he has been touring the country with Tyler Perry

Gospel Stage plays, "I know I've been changed", " I can do Bad All By Myself", " The Diary

of a Mad Black Woman", " Madea's Family Reunion", Madea's Class Reunion and currently

Mike is the Musical Director for "Tyler Perry, Meet the Browns.

Mike Frazier- Music Director

Mike Frazier- M

usic Director

Jennifer Holliday began her career on Broadway in musicals such as Dreamgirls, and later became a successful recording artist. She is best known for her debut single, the Dreamgirls showstopper and Grammy Award-winning R&B/Pop hit, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Jennifer landed her first big role on Broadway at the age of 19, for the Broadway production of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God. Her performance in that musical earned her a 1981 Drama Desk nomination. Her next role, which she began to act out at 21, was the role for which she became best known: the role of Effie Melody White in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Jennifer originated the role of Effie and remained with the show for nearly four years after its December 20, 1981 opening. Her performance in the role was widely acclaimed, particularly in her iconic performance of the musical number that ends Act I, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Among the acclaim was Holliday's sweep of awards in 1982, including the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, a Grammy award for her recorded version of the song, and Drama Desk and Theater World awards for her acting performance itself. Holliday also performed in the touring company of Sing, Mahalia, Sing in 1986. In 1998 Holliday was featured on the album "My Favorite Broadway Ladies " notice as one of "The Queens Of Broadway."

Jennifer Holliday's version of the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" made Holliday a star on Broadway. the song was released as a single. The song became very successful, peaking at number-one on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Holliday received a Doctor of Music honoris causa from Berklee College of Music, Boston in 2000. In 2001 she was presenter for the tap dance show "21 Below" at Town Hall in NYC and also headlined Equity Cares/Broadway Fights Aids' "Nothing Like a Dame" show at the St. James Theatre where she was accompanied by teenage tap dance sensation Michela Marino Lerman and Hannah Leah Dunn.

Jennifer Holliday- Broadw

ay Star/ Gram

my Aw

ard Winning

Recording Artist

Christian Keyes has been touring the last 5 years with several national stage plays

performing in front of more than 3 million people. In 2007 he was Dr. Harris in Tyler

Perry’s “What’s Done in the Dark”; the dvd for this feature was released and

distributed nationally by Lions Gate Films in early 2008. Christian played (Sonny) the

lead in Tyler Perry’s “Madea Goes to Jail and he can also can be seen in Tyler Perry’s

“Diary of a Mad Black Woman”.

Tyler Perry’s Christian Keyes

Christian Keyes- Actor/Singer/Songwriter

Christian released a 16 track cd in 2009 (Personal)

and has performed multiple shows on the Tom

Joyner Cruise. Ebony Magazine named him one of

the 50 most eligible bachelors in the country. He

has had 3 national calendars and has graced the

covers and ads in national magazines such as GQ,

Elle, Men’s Journal and Vogue.

Christian played the lead in R&B Grammy Award Winning Artist Ashanti’s video “The

Way That I Love You”- the video was nominated for “video of the year” in 2008. He is

the lead in the music video for Ledisi “In The Morning” and Kari Hilson “Energy”.

featured aboard the Tom Joyner Foundation’s Fantastic Voyage cruise and has regular guest appearances on top Dallas radio

stations 97.9 FM the Beat andK-104 FM’s morning show.

As an actor he’s had pivotal performances co-starring in independent motion picture releases of “Small Timers”, “The Lawn Boy”

and “Photo Shop The Movie”. D. Elli$ was casted for a leading role opposite of Chaka Khan in the Bronner Brother’s play “ Hair

Show”. He tours regularly with Rickey Smiley and hosts and performs all over the country. He recently became a spokes person

for the American Heart Association and is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles in financially underserved communities.

D. Elli$, Mr. EntertainmentComedian-actor-musician hit the stage running when he was invited to open

for Cedric the Entertainer in a three-minute act. He received roaring success

and his moniker as “Mr. Entertainment!” was established.

He quickly gained a following on the comedy club circuit, performing at

numerous comedy locations across the country including Laugh-A-Palooza,

Improvs and the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles with Steve Harvey, Kim Coles,

Katt Williams and Ricky Smiley. He’s been featured on Def Jam for Podcast

and has done voice over work for Tom Joyner’s nationally syndicated radio

show. He has been the host of choice for A-list events including the NBA All-

Star Weekend Party in Los Angeles with special guest L.L.Cool J, special events

for the M.O.N.N. Squad (mothers of NFL and NBA Players), and the city-wide

"Welcome Home” celebration for Jaime Foxx in Dallas, TX. He’s also shared

the stage as co-host with Queen of Comedy Monique and has been

D. Elli$- Com

edian/Actor

Lady Jade- Princess of Radio

is the co-host of the of the K104 Morning Show for the #1 Hip Hop and R&B

station in Dallas. She launched her career in radio while attending college at

Southwest Texas State University; where she received her B.A. in Public Relations

with a minor in Marketing. She secured a position as an intern at 102.7 KTFM in

San Antonio, TX. Following her college graduation she advanced to managing the

promotions department and a weekend on-air spot.

Jade shares a passion for radio and acting. She is a current student at REACT, an

acting studio in Dallas, TX. She has been casted for commercials and print ads

such as Driver Select, Sally’s Beauty Supply and Pepsi. In addition, Jade has co-

hosted the popular Dallas-based television shows Flava TV and Dance Club 21.

Big Chief- Hip Hop ArtistA Dallas native, Big Chief is one of the most popular and well respected hip

hop artist in Dallas. He was recently recruited by the largest hip hop

record label in the South-Cash Money Records. Chief has currently been

named a national spokesperson for The Fight Against Diabetes partnering

with the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute and the F.O.K.K.U.S

Foundation. Chief has had much success with billboard topping singles like

“Swag” and “Checks” featuring Bobby Valentino and Slim Thug. He

recently released his 13th album (Eat Greedy Volume 13) featuring the

highly anticipated Triple D Anthem (D3) in honor of Dallas Does

Diabetes.- The Fight Against Diabetes; and the hot single “OG” featuring

Rick Ross.

Lady Jade/Big Chief

ABOUT US

The F.O.K.K.U.S. Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to help create and empower people with

opportunities for a better life by focusing on the needs in the areas of Entertainment mentoring and training, Healthcare,

and Education. The organization’s chairman, Billy J. Bowles Jr., after spending 20+ years in the music industry recognized

the need to help educate artist about the business side of the entertainment industry. After the loss of his father to

diabetes, he decided to create programs such as:

The Billy J. Bowles, Sr. Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to medical research and funding.

The Billy J. Bowles Sr. Educational Fund which is committed to scholarship funding for those students interested in higher education.

The F.O.K.K.U.S Foundation is a multi-faceted organization that has assembled a team of experts that are experienced in

various areas to represent the foundation by serving as The Board of Directors. The board and our staff have committed

their time and energy to developing programs that promote a transformation when dealing with the underlying issues in

these areas. The F.O.K.K.U.S. Foundation’s ultimate goal through our many programs and activities is to service the needs

of people of all ages, all over the world.

F.O.K.K.U

.S Foundation- Non Profit Partner