PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Under bright lights and for all to see, a local theater production will pull back the covers on suicide and depression.

My Life Matters: “Finding Your Way Home” hits the stage later this month in a free presentation at The Zeiders American Dream Theater in downtown Virginia Beach. It is sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach.

Last Sunday, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst committed suicide by falling from a skyscraper in New York. Her mother told the media that Kryst was silently suffering from depression. A few days earlier, Ian Alexander Jr., the only son of actress Regina King, committed suicide.

“My Life Matters,” the musical with a purpose, will use the stage to save lives.

A cast of singers, actors and rappers will take audiences on a musical journey that exposes a host of issues that contribute to suicide and depression.

“The musical with a purpose, ‘My Life Matters’ is based on our true stories of suicide, mental health awareness, domestic violence, bullying, PTSD, [post-traumatic stress disorder]and racial injustice. It’s basically a mix of different stories and different issues that are going on in our society,” said Prince McEntyre, who is the creator of the musical. Most of the time in the African-American community, being transparent is hard, so I thought it should be mixed with what we love the most: music and dancing. »

McEntyre is the creator but he is also a survivor. He contemplated suicide in 2006 while at a local recording studio.

“My mission is to deter someone by providing transparency, showing them, ‘Look, I was suicidal. I was locked in the studio contemplating suicide. We have actors that we have picked who were trying to kill themselves, so it’s a platform where we can show people they’re watching us,” said McEntyre who will deliver a rapper-style message.

“Look at me haters – look at me later – see I’m 4X10, look at my alligators – I’m God’s twin in my image my friend – you can Snapchat on me all day – My life matters to him. “

On stage, veteran William Davis will share his soldier’s true story, which begins on a battlefield in Afghanistan.

“We jumped into Afghanistan and I miscalculated my landing and fell 40 feet off a mountain. I went into an enemy camp and while I was there they pointed a gun at my He pulled the trigger and all I heard was a click The gun misfired I pulled myself out of the situation and woke up in Germany The first thing that came to me was the chaplain [he asked] “Do you believe in God now? [I replied] ‘No, I got out of there. God did nothing for me. And that’s when I realized I needed more help than I was given,” said Davis, who added that he was a changed man thanks to prayer, support and treatment at Hampton Veterans Hospital.

The scene is part of the help this veteran needs and there is hope that the scene will help others.

“It’s something we need to bring and bring to light,” McEntyre said.

Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.com. Additionally, at the time of this writing, proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required for entry. For more information, contact McEntyre at: [email protected].

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. This number is (800) 273-8255.