Lord, All Men Can’t Be DogsAn Interview with Christian Keyes
B Wilson Morales
June 14, 2011
Out on home video this week is the stage play, ‘Lord, All Men Can’t Be Dogs,’ which stars Vivica A. Fox, Christian Keyes, Johnny Gill, Elise, Neal, Tony Grant, Laila Odom, Shoneji Loraine, Kareem Grimes and John Gray
The play is a riveting story of the lives of two people, Lisa (Fox) and Tim Johnson (Keyes), whose struggles are closely tied with the four spirits that reside in their home. It’s a story of temptation, greed and finally, deliverance, mixed with just the right amount of humor!
While many people has seen him as the lead in music videos for Ledisi “In The Morning” and for Keri Hilson “Energy,” for Keyes, the play is one of many stage plays he had done recently. The others have been ‘Love Me or Leave Me,’ ‘The Perfect Man,’ and ‘The Bachelor Party.’ The Christian has done more than 40 stage productions and more than 1,200 theatrical shows in his career.
The former model-turned-singer/actor also has a slew of upcoming films including ‘Dysfunctional Family,’ which will premiere are the 2011 ABFF, and stars Meagan Good, Hosea Chanchez , Stacey Dash, Persia White, Tatayana Ali, and NFL Star Terrell Owens, and the Tri Destined Studios film ‘We Are Family,’ which stars Monique Coleman, Chyna Layne, and RonReaco Lee.
This Fall, Keyes will be joining the second season of BET’s hit show, ‘Let’s Stay Together.’
Keyes recently spoke to Blackfilm.com about working on ‘Lord, All Men Can’t Be Dogs’ and his love for theater.
How would you describe your character?
Christian Keyes: I would say that my character is flawed, which is the main reason I decided to be in this project. He’s not the best husband initially. There’s definitely room for growth and improvement. He’s critical and annoying, but throughout the play he grows and learns some things. He has redeeming qualities towards the end and changes into a different person.
Are you in a comfort zone when you are on stage?
CK: Yes, but I always get excited whenever I do it. I feel like a kid because it’s really a cool thing to be able to do this and call this your job. Even with years of doing this, I’m still learning.
How was working with Johnny Gill, Vivica A. Fox, and Elise Neal?
CK: It was great. Johnny is the consummate vocalist and a good guy to work with. Everyone was cool to work with and Vivica is a icon. I have a couple of projects with her. It’s a great cast and a great story and definitely one of the great theater productions I’ve ever done.
How is this play different from the last one you did?
CK: Each play has a different message and each character I play has a different flaw. I definitely don’t want to play the same character in different productions and this is certainly is not the case. It’s challenging for me to do something different.
Having done several plays, are you able to work with the director in terms of your character and any changes you may want to make or do you just go with what what’s on script?
CK: It depends on the director. A lot of directors would be open for your input. They have a vision for what they want the character to be like, but if you bounce an idea that they idea that they may like, nine times out of ten, they will go with it. If the idea is an improvement, it’s nice when the director allows you to have creative input.
Has your exposure in theater helped you land roles in films?
CK: You could never get enough practice. You could never get enough work. I love theater. There is no do over when you are on stage, and doing film is also hard work. The cameras are closer, and the reaction is different.
What do you have on your plate coming up?
CK: I have ‘Dysfunctional Friends’ coming up and that has a lot of talent in the film. I also have ‘We Are Family’ and I just got added to the second season of ‘Let’ Stay Together.’
Any more music videos?
CK: Yes, I have one called ‘I’m All Right’ and it’s an inspirational song almost like the 2012 version of ‘I Believe I Can Fly.’ It’s a positive song that I’m glad I got the chance to do it.
What keeps you grounded?
CK: My upbringing. I grew up in the foster care system from age 4 to age 18. And my son. I want to set a good example for him. The daily grind to be a better person and a better man keeps me going. I went from modeling to theater to film, but I never forget what I learned growing up. Things don’t come easy. You have to work hard for success.
