Flex Alexander, Claudia Jordan and Carl Payne (Photo Provided).
The Chicago Defender recently sat down for a behind-the-scenes chat with Flex Alexander (One on One) and Claudia Jordan (Real Housewives of Atlanta), cast members of the hilarious stage play Games Women Play, directed by TV icon Carl Payne (Martin, House of Payne). Other castmates include Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends), Demetria McKinney (House of Payne), Chico Bean (Wild ‘N Out), and Brian J. White (Stomp the Yard).
The title may sound mischievous, but don’t be fooled: “Games Women Play,” created by playwright Je’Caryous Johnson, is a pointed, emotionally layered story highlighting relationships’ ups and downs. “It’s about love, yes—but it’s also about the choices we make and what happens when we assume the grass is greener,” says Jordan. “You’ll leave with a different opinion than the person sitting next to you —and that’s the beauty of it.”
The chemistry between the cast can be denied, thanks partly to their real-life friendships and Carl Payne’s down-to-earth directing approach. “It feels like a family,” Flex shares. “Carl lets us bring our flavor but keeps us grounded. We help each other out. We know each other’s lines—it’s like a big party backstage and onstage.”
For Claudia Jordan, the stage has been a personal triumph. With the least stage experience amongst the cast, she was nervous early on during the 12-city tour and actually broke down in tears after the DC show. However, she leaned into her fear, worked harder, and now she’s loving it.
From L.A. to Detroit, folks have shown out and shown up, packing the theaters with laughs, tears, and controversial debates about their favorite characters.
Games Women Play is packed with drama, comedy, romance, and shocking twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Chicago, get ready to pack out the Arie Crown Theater this weekend. Whether you’re coming solo, with your best friend, or with your significant other, Games Women Play is the type of stage play that will have you questioning, ‘Am I playing the game, or is the game playing me?’ It’s a celebration of black theater and a reminder that love is a leap worth taking.
Inez Woody: Without giving away too much, what is the Games Women Play stage play about? What can you reveal about the play?
Flex Alexander: It’s that age-old war. I won’t say the battles of the sexes, but it’s about who plays more games. Are women better at it, or are men better at it? The play shows a good balance. Even though it’s called Games Women Play, you still see choices the men make. You’re able to see the support. It’s well-rounded, and it’s not about slamming women, but it lets you dive into relationships and the heart of them.
Claudia Jordan: Two people can watch the play and have two different opinions on who the bad guy was or who was playing the games. It will also make people think about the grass is greener on the other side” mantra. This will open an engaging conversation about the debate between men and women. Especially now, with social media making it so easy for people to drop what they have in a relationship and not work at keeping it and to just get into another one. After the play, I think people will go out and have drinks, eat somewhere, and discuss the play.
Woody: How is the chemistry between the cast, and how do you enjoy working together?
Alexander: Well, I’ve known Claudia for years. Everybody on the cast has known each other for years, or we’ve hung out a time or two, so it’s like working with your friends while keeping the integrity of the work. It’s fun! It’s just a big old party, you know.
Jordan: The good thing is that many people say they can tell how much fun happens because we rock with each other. Everybody is cool. We all go out to eat. So you can tell when you watch this play that it’s all love, and the audience ends up having a good time because of our chemistry. It’s a fun play.
Woody: Can you tell me a little bit about your characters and the roles you play on Games Women Play Stage Play?
Alexander: My character is an everyday, hardworking guy trying to show this woman he has affection for that all that glitters is not gold.
Jordan: My character is a talk show host who likes to instigate and get the mess going. The show opens with this scene, so please be on time and get to the show on time. It sets the tone for the storyline.
Woody: The Met Gala was this week, and the streets have been buzzing with excitement about the Dandyism theme. What kind of fashions can we look forward to seeing on stage?
Jordan: Oh, we’re cute and fly! This one is very sparkly; it is really glittery.
Woody: How has it been working with TV icon Carl Payne as the director?
Alexander: It’s been great. He encourages us to make the roles our own and keep their integrity. He’s always finding ways to make it fresh for us so we don’t feel like we’re doing the same thing repeatedly. I recently took my wife to see Othello in New York, and I got to talk to Denzel Washington. His advice to me was to know the work and be present. He encouraged me to listen to my castmates, not just for my lines, but because listening causes a reaction, and that’s the key to being present. Denzel said he doesn’t think about anything. He doesn’t think about the lines. He just is. And they do that show 8 times per week and still make it fresh. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal said the same thing; he’ll take the same line and say it differently to get a different reaction. These are also some of the practices that Carl does, just so we can keep it fresh.
Jordan: Carl is very comfortable in that comedy space for obvious reasons; he’s been at it for a long time. And who doesn’t know his work? And he’s just so natural with his comedy. And with live theater, you can throw a little ad-lib here and there, and he does it well. And every time it’s funny, it gets a reaction. And we’re all friends, so it doesn’t seem like work.
On Stage Vs. Screen
Woody: Flex, coming from a background with both comedy and drama, how does the stage work compare to your TV experience?
Alexander: I love the stage, but it keeps you on your toes. You don’t get a second take. You can’t stop and start over. Everything is live and direct. And it’s very, very reminiscent of stand-up. Because doing stand-up, it’s the instant reaction from the audience that you love. So, I love a live audience. I love having them right in the palm of your hand, whether it’s a scene and you can hear a pin drop or they’re just laughing. The stage keeps you most prepared.
Woody: Claudia, you’ve worn many hats as host, reality TV, actress, and radio; what makes stage acting rewarding for you?
Jordan: It was something I was afraid of because working with these people who are really good at it, I had the least experience. I’ve done a few lines here and there, but I was very nervous. I broke down and cried after one of our shows in DC. I just wanted to get better, which has made me much more comfortable with other areas. And now I love it,t and we’re in the groove now, but at first, it was a challenge. After talking to a friend the other day, I realized that you should go towards the thing that scares you the most. Stage acting is another thing I can check off the bucket list.
On the Audience Experience
Woody: What city are you looking forward to the most while on tour?
Alexander: All of them. In each city, it’s a different experience. You can go to one town and think it’s going to be one way and discover it’s something different.
Jordan: I thought LA would be bourgeois and not make much noise, but they were one of our best crowds. We could not believe it. We were stunned and pleasantly surprised. And Detroit, they set the bar so high. They got every single joke. They were with us from the first minute to the last.
So, Chicago, please talk back to us in the audience. We appreciate that. Please make noise, yell; it’s not a play to be polite and quiet. We appreciate the love.
On Representation and the Power of Black Love
Woody: What do you hope the audience will walk away with after seeing the stage play?
Alexander: I hope that the audience can walk away and see that we can tell great black love stories. Overall, it’s a love story for all. We are not celebrating black love enough. So I hope people can walk away and say, “That was a great love story.” People should see more original work because you never know what you’ll get.
Jordan: I’ll piggyback off of that. I agree. Often, Hollywood gives a green light to black stories when it’s tragedy, slavery, struggling love, and getting it out of the mud. Stories about being in the hood and someone dies. I want us to return to the golden age, which to me is the 90s and 2000s of Black entertainment when we had Boomerang and beautiful stories with black folks looking good. I’m tired of that. This play is aspirational. Everyone in the storyline has it going on and is successful. They just want love. Why can’t we have more of that? We are not just one note; we love, laugh, and have successful love stories. So that’s what I’m excited about, and I want to encourage people who see it to tell five friends about it.
For more information on “Games Women Play,” visit this link.
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