His first book was titled ‘REALationship Breakdown Philly Style: Based on Real Life Experiences,’ and was based on his own relationship ups and downs.

By ReGINA “G STYL” CRAWFORD

Contributing Writer

Model. Fashion Designer. Football Player (semi-pro). Author. Playwright. Entrepreneur Extraordinaire.  He’s been building his empire since the age of five and he’s been extremely successful thus far. 

The only question left unanswered is where will his talents take him next? 

Or, more importantly, who is he?

Cleveland native Philipe Winston Weeden.

What propelled him to become an author and a playwright? 

“One being my new found love,” he began. “It compelled me to want to show people the secret on how to heal and move on in love. How to go from a worse situation that you may or may not have had control over to one of the best things that could ever happen to you.”

He continued, “Love is strange and people aren’t any different, but I assure you that if you focus on you first then you can show that one how to love you. The other reason is that I wanted to share my trials and tribulations with as many people as I can. Just so they can see that you can smile again, laugh again, and most of all love again!”

Think. Laugh. Cry. That is the tag line for the trilogy of plays written by Weeden. He gave the audience something to think about in “If You Knew Better, You’d Do Better”’ and something to laugh about while delivering several social messages when the sequel took to the stage Sept. 22nd.  Although I didn’t see the first production on stage, I did watch the DVD after seeing the second one, “If I Knew Then What I Know Now” live, and both plays were phenomenal.  The messages were socially conscious but not overbearing and the delivery was indeed comedic. 

I have to give it to the group of actors in this production. They did a wonderful job keeping the audience intrigued while executing the purpose of the play. You can’t have a single man’s mentality and be in a relationship. You can ignore God when he calls your name, but eventually you will hit a brick wall and be calling out to him. 

“A man will cheat as long as legs are open.” 

“A man can only be trapped if he wants to be.” Those are a few of the messages delivered throughout the course of the plays.

Why not just have one play that tells the whole story? 

“They only reason I can say is because growing is a process,” he stated. “Take your time and learn the lessons along the way. It allows you to see the growth and the different ways you can handle your situations.”

The cast of both plays were hand-picked by Weeden and consisted of local Clevelanders with no acting experience but the cast has remained consistent through the performance of both plays.  And you will see the same cast in the third installment of the play. 

“I am bringing every member back from Part 1 and Part 2 to create a monstrous cast,” said Weeden.  “My own all star squad of talented young individuals that are all doing it for the message.” 

So why this group of relatively unknowns?  “Everything I have done and accomplished in my life I have started from the ground up!  I wanted to create a family of growth,” he stated.  “I’m sorry but look at what God has done with “normal” people.  We are excelling and we are accomplishing goals and touching lives.  That’s what it’s about.”

He continued, “I chose Clevelanders because we often get overlook on everything and I’m glad to be a vessel that God is allowing to showcase hometown talent.”

The plays are based off his second book which he wrote in conjunction his fiancée and fellow author Brandi M. Gooch. The books are titled ‘The Black man’s Guide: If You Knew Better, You’d Do Better’ and ‘The Black Woman’s Guide Woman 2 Woman: Finding Your Way Back to Self-Worth.’ 

His first book was titled ‘REALationship Breakdown Philly Style: Based on Real Life Experiences,’ and was based on his own relationship ups and downs. Even though he may not be an author at heart, his public venting on Facebook about his relationship woes prompted his friends and followers to urge him to put his experiences in the written form of a book.

The positive reception of both books prompted Philly, as he is known to all who know him, to take his writing to another level and thus the birth of his first play and its sequel as well as the final chapter ‘If Only You Knew The Truth’ which is slated to take to the stage April 2013.

So what’s next for Weeden after the last installment of the play?  A movie!  That’s making strides.  “This will definitely be a milestone in my life,” he said. “The film will be titled “If You Knew Better, You’d Do Better!" the movie. It is all three parts wrapped up in one. I’m looking into several locations around the city, nothing outside. I want Cleveland to be proud of their own. I have contacted Mike Berry who has his first film, “Secrets,” showcasing October 7 at Solon Movies and he will be directing the film.  As far as the cast, it will be the same from the plays as well as many other roles to be filled. I’m looking to shoot in July 2013 and release it Labor Day weekend.  I want to create a day of Cleveland love!”

You can find out more about Mr. Weeden and his endeavors at www.PhillyWeeden.com, www.PhillyBreakdown.com, and www.Facebook.com/Philipe.Weeden.