Actor Hopes 'Two Old Black Guys' Will Challenge Valley Audience

Actor Hal Williams hopes that his part in "Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking" will do more than entertain audiences at the Indian Wells Theater at the next week.

"I thought is would be good for this valley," Williams said, adding that he believes the Coachella Valley is ready for some "serious theater."

Williams and actor Felton Perry will star in “Two Old Black Guys" beginning on Friday, Feb. 17.

The play follows the rivalry, friendship and the journey of two longtime acquaintances, Abe and Henry, who once jostled for the love of the same woman.

And Williams believes that is why the story will reach all audiences.

"It's universal. It could be anybody ... They just happen to be Black," Williams said.

He said that his return to theater is a natural progression of his career, which has spanned dramas and television.

"It all started with theater. It's my love. I do theater any chance I get, whether I get paid or not," Williams said with a hearty smile.

At age 73, Williams said he is not even close to retiring, and was glad when he got asked to get involved with CSUSB Palm Desert's theater.

"I want to die on stage," Williams said. "When the curtain comes down, let me pan out. That's the way I want to go out."

Williams' 25-year professional career has included dramas as “Roots II: The Next Generation,” “The Waltons,” “Harry-O” and “L.A. Law,” and comedies “The Sinbad Show,” “227” and “Sanford and Son.”

Perry has starred on the television show “Hooperman” as Inspector Clarence McNeil and has made guest appearances on many TV series, including “L.A. Law,” “The Partridge Family,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “N.Y.P.D. Blue,” “Judging Amy,” “Murphy Brown” and “The West Wing.”

Show times are Friday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., Saturday Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling the Indian Wells Theater Box Office at (760) 341-6909. They can also be purchased securely on the theater’s website at www.IWTheater.com.

The Indian Wells Theater is located on the Palm Desert Campus of California State University, San Bernardino, 37-500 Cook St., in Palm Desert.