The topic of divorce settlements has been tackled before (most famously by Eddie Murphy in Raw), but playwright Je’Caryous Johnson raises the stakes in his Cheaper to Keep Her. When the judge slams the gavel in the case of Mays vs. Mays, Raymond (Brian McKnight) has been taken for everything. Now his ex-wife Morgan (played by Vivica A. Fox) has Raymond’s house, his retirement fund and his manhood.

Short of committing murder, Raymond has two choices: set Morgan up with a new husband or win her back. If you’re wondering why you haven’t seen Fox in any films recently, it’s because she’s been touring this show for a while now (she’s also executive producer).

Johnson’s shows, produced by his Houston-based I’m Ready Productions, have been called part sitcom, part soap opera, part church revival and part concert. You can count on that last part: Yes, McKnight does sing in this. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby. For information, call 713-315-2400 or visit www.thehobbycenter.org.

Fri., May 6; Sat., May 7, 2011

This article appears in May 5-11, 2011.