TARBORO — World renown stage play writer David Payton and local AM gospel radio WCPS will present the comedy gospel play "Stand By Me" at 5 p.m. June 27 at Keihin Auditorium on Edgecombe Community College Tarboro campus.

The play is about a woman who stands by her sick mother, her husband who is battling a drug addiction and no job, her daughter who suffers from low self-esteem, her martial vows while she's being pressured by another man.

"It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you think about the joy of life," Payton said.

WCPS radio personality "Stephanie Luchele" (Stephanie Randolph) of Tarboro and Twin County community activist Dr. Rev. Thomas L. Walker of Rocky Mount will be among the 16 actors and actresses in the two-hour play. Randolph is the host of WCPS The Gospel Train. Although she has a "knack to gab" the play will be her first venture into acting. She will play a deranged but educated woman who gets kicked out of church.

"I don't have a problem getting in front of people talking, Randolph said. "that's one of the reasons that I often considered taking a part in a play. But the right opportunity never came my way. When David offered me a chance, I couldn't refuse. I'm a little nervous but I'm excited."

 Walker has some acting exprience. The 62 year-old gospel recording artist struck gold with the hit single "One Day At A Time." He is also an author and has been the Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Rocky Mount for 40 years.

Walker will play a minister who has a street ministry instead of the traditional church. He may not be as nervous about acting as his counterpart Randolph.

"I've toured up and down the East Coast in the play "Mama Why" so I do have some experience," he said. 

This is going to be an exciting play – a family oriented event and enjoyable with some nuggets of truths that carries stability to family and relationship. Payton does a great job with his plays. I'm honored to be working with him on this project."

Other cast members includes Kamesia Rouse and Kan Dupree of Goldsboro and Alethia Peterson of Maryland, 11 year-old Joycelyn Whitehead of Greenville and Payton's daughter Davonyah Campbell Payton of Greenville.

"Stand By Me" is the the latest 12 plays written and produced by Payton who is a Simpson native. The most popular of them all is "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" which ran in large cities throughout the United States. The play became so popular that a movie executive purchased the rights to it and turned it into a theater movie. Payton believes that "Stand By Me" has similar qualities as "A Good Man Is Hard To Find."

"A Good Man Is Hard To Find" was my first play and it became a hit," Payton said. "I am equally excited about "Stand By Me." It will touch the audience to cause them to think, have I stood by people who stood by me. And how many times have God stood by us and all he wants us to do is return the favor. God has always stood by us, will you stand by someone? Come out and see this play. You will enjoy it."

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. They can be purchased at WCPS, Philips Printing, EBC Media Store in Rocky Mount and Mo's Barbershop in Greenville.