New York, get ready to go to the theater. David E. Talbert will be bringing his new work, “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” to the Beacon Theater, April 7-10. The play, Talbert’s 13th, stars Michelle Williams, Morris Chestnut, Ann Nesby and Brian White. This time Talbert is wearing three hats, as the playwright, director and producer. The show is currently on a 30-city tour–after New York there will only be four cities remaining.

The AmNews recently had the opportunity to talk with the creative genius Talbert and one of the cast members. White, who plays Paul, is making his stage debut with this work and was glad to talk about this experience and his career. After five novels and one feature film, and receiving honors such as the New York Literary Award for Best Playwright and an NAACP Award for his work, “The Fabric of a Man,” Talbert was very humble as he talked about his newest and most challenging endeavor.

A Q&A follows with White and Talbert.

AmNews: You star in TV series like “Men of a Certain Age” and have been in numerous movies, including romantic comedies like “Politics of Love,” Tyler Perry films like “I Can Do Bad All by Myself” and musical dramas like “Stomp the Yard”–what attracted you to this play?

Brian White: David E. Talbert and his work. I’ve been a fan of his for years. There have been some great playwrights–Tennessee Williams and William Shakespeare–and David E. Talbert is in that category. We will make a feature film of this production following the tour, and Morris Chestnut and I will be doing it with him.

This is my first play and I wanted to place myself in someone’s hands who I would feel safe with. I’m the apprentice and he is the master. It’s been a wild ride. It’s a different type of experience from a film or a TV show. On a play we all go through it together, you get the feedback: people will laugh or boo. It sharpens your skills as an actor–there are no second takes. You get to see and look at people eye-to-eye who support you. It’s been a real blessing and people have been very supportive.

AmNews: Which character do you play and how would you describe him?

White: I play Paul. The story is about a husband and a wife, Franklin and Lena, and I’m a plumber. Franklin asks me to come to his home to do some work. He is a huge mogul and Paul has never seen a Black mogul–he didn’t know that Black people lived like this. Franklin says, “All this can be yours if you do these things,” and that leads to problems. He’s opened up the door to his house to another man.

The biggest challenge is how to juggle a career and keep your wife happy. David gives ideas on how to handle these situations. There’s some slapstick, cursing and sexuality–it will make you cry and laugh–and he packs all of this into one play. We come out after every show and people say, “This is so real, I didn’t expect it.” My wife saw it and she cried–so did my mom. David brings together a blend of big and broad drama with the comedy of a stage play. David has found a way to do that and weave in powerful music by Michelle Williams. I think David is just a genius.

AmNews: What aspects of your character were a challenge?

White: My character takes his shirt off every night. When you’re on the road and trying to figure out how to eat right and get to the gym–it’s hard to figure it out when you’re working 16-hour days and trying to find fat-free foods. On stage, the second act is very dramatically charged for my character and we do four shows on the weekends, so I have to make sure to keep up my energy.

AmNews: What do you get from doing live theater?

White: I want to put positive, upscale images up for our Black people. I also get to hone my craft as an actor. I’m stronger and more prepared now. The main reason I did this was to bond with David, and the opportunity to meet the people who support me–we shake hands, talk to people and hug people.

AmNews: What should audiences expect if they come to see “What My Husband Doesn’t Know”?

White: Fireworks. You’re going to see myself, Clifton Davis, Michelle Williams, Morris Chestnut and Ann Nesby in one of Talbert’s best productions. Audiences should expect to laugh like they’ve never laughed before. Expect fireworks between Morris and I. After every show we come out to the lobby and we sign programs. I have calendars out and I take pictures with people with their cameras when they buy one. It’s definitely a time for us to meet the fans.

White has several projects coming up. To keep up with his work, go to Brianwhiteonline.com or follow him on Twitter at @actorbrianwhite.

AmNews: What’s it like to be around for a 20th anniversary in the theater?

David E. Talbert: It feels good. When I look at all the stuff, I’m in awe myself. I’m just thankful for being given this gift and doing it for so long.

AmNews: Why was “What My Husband Doesn’t Know” the play you wanted to do for this 20th anniversary year?

Talbert: It’s mixed media, a mixture of film, television and novels all wrapped up in one. It’s like watching a movie, seeing a play and hearing a novel.

AmNews: Brian White is making his theater debut with this show. How do you feel about that?

Talbert: I’ve been fortunate enough to catch men on their way up, like Malik Yoba, Morris Chestnut–you name it. So it’s always great. It’s like this special twinkle I see in their eyes and I’m honored to be a part of that experience with them.

AmNews: Over 20 years you’ve written five novels, a Talbert: It’s mixed media, a mixture of film, television and novels all wrapped up in one. It’s like watching a movie, seeing a play and hearing a novel.

AmNews: Brian White is making his theater debut with this show. How do you feel about that?

Talbert: I’ve been fortunate enough to catch men on their way up, like Malik Yoba, Morris Chestnut–you name it. So it’s always great. It’s like this special twinkle I see in their eyes and I’m honored to be a part of that experience with them.

AmNews: Over 20 years you’ve written five novels, a feature film and 13 plays. How did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, and why plays?

Talbert: It was poems at first. I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer–it was the only outlet I had to get over a broken heart. It was therapy for me then and still is now. Everything I write touches me and moves me first.

AmNews: What do you want audiences to experience when they see a David E. Talbert play?

Talbert: It’s the laughter, the tears, the screams–just have a good time. It’s well worth the time and the price of the ticket. My legacy…when people think of my name, I want a smile to come to their faces. I’ve approached my craft as building it from the written word on up. The medium of plays is a writer’s medium. I don’t take it lightly that great writers came before me, I try to take that artistic baton and try to run the race.

AmNews: Why should audiences come to see “What My Husband Doesn’t Know”?

Talbert: The question is, “Why shouldn’t they?” If I’ve been entertaining you for 20 years, why not let me entertain you for 20 more? I’m going to shoot this as a feature film that will star Morris Chestnut and Brian White, so this is a sneak peak of what they will get in the feature film.