Confessions of an Exotic Dancer‎- my life, my sins, my testimony

Review by Timm Knight

Sherrod Rutland's stage adaptation of his book "Confessions of an Exotic Dancer- my life, my sins, my testimony." came to life at the Epicenter in Austell, GA. Given the title, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.  After mentally preparing myself to witness what could be an all-out male review I was pleasantly surprised to see this play had much more to offer than a strip tease. But ladies don't be alarmed there is enough eye candy and dancing to keep you entertained. The main character played by Willie Tayler of the R&B group Day 26 did an outstanding job in his portrayal of Sherrod. The play chronicles the good, bad and ugly that comes along with this line of work. This story serves as a testament to how God loves us all in spite of the lives we live, especially when he has a purpose for your life. What started out as a way to make "easy" money turned into a career for Sherrod. With that came plenty of women with their own share of drama most notably an ex-girlfriend superbly played by Melodie Marie. Her character was a basket case, and Melodie made you believe it wholeheartedly. There was plenty of comic relief supplied by American Idol contestant Deandre Perryman. There are few turns and twist you definitely don't see coming in here that adds to the storyline. And any good stage play would be remiss without showcasing some talented vocalist. In the end, Sherrod finds a woman in his same line of work. Everything is going fine until they both decide to give up their dependence on earning a living on stage and trust God to make a way. After trials and tribulations, they were able to put the life behind them and move forward in their relationship. Fortunately for us, we're able to witness this confession.  Ultimately, I think audiences will agree this a worthwhile project, and we can only expect great things from the talented Sherrod Rutland going forward.