Shelly Garrett is “THE  GODFATHER OF BLACK THEATRE.   His diverse  talents have caused him to be a major  figure in  the entertainment industry.

When it comes to laughter in theatre, Shelly Garrett is the master and has been for many  years.  “Comedy is a difficult  art,” he says.  “The key is timing and if it’s not there,  the  entire  production simply  becomes a  waste.”  Who can argue the perfection of his timing?   He  took the traditional "upper-class" theatrical art form,  and presented it  in  such a way,  that not only traditional theatergoers lined-up around the block, to see his shows, but also literally millions of people, all across America, whom had never seen a stage play before, came-out of their  comfortable homes to see his productions.  Experts have estimated more than Four Million people alone, saw Shelly Garrett's historical  "BEAUTY SHOP" stage play, which still holds box office records in more than 55 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Oakland, San Diego, Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, Newark and 40 more.

Shelly Garrett has received 'Keys To The City' from 16 American Cities; more than 25 City and State proclamations and more plaques, trophies and awards, than even he can name.   What an accomplishment!

Tyler Perry has said, after seeing Shelly Garrett's BEAUTY SHOP in New Orleans three times, it gave him the inspiration to become a playwright.

David E. Talbert said, he saw Shelly Garrett's BEAUTY SHOP in Los Angeles and that's when he knew he wanted to become a playwright.

When we asked Shelly. what makes him  so popular with those who love the theatre, he answered, “I refuse  to cheat my fans that spend their hard-earned dollars on a ticket to a Shelly Garrett Production.  It's just wrong!” 

Then there was the ABC Television sitcom, “New Attitudes,” starring Morris Day, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney and Janet Dubois ("Good Times), all based on Shelly Garrett's BEAUTY SHOP. 

Shelly Garrett sets the trends in black theatre; he doesn’t follow them!  Here’s a man who believes in  himself, but most importantly, his family believed in him.  His late mother, Lera M.  Garrett, who toured with her son for seventeen years before passing in September of 2006, was the constant encouraging factor in his life.  His late father, Willie B. Garrett, was always encouraging his son, before his success; when the only thing Shelly wanted to do was quit and change careers.  Garrett says, “It’s so important to have family support pushing you when you think you just can’t go any  further.”

Included in the many faces of this multi-faceted man is his reputation for being positive.  He says, “Always have a positive attitude and surround yourself with positive people.”  “Don’t let anyone; including any unsupportive family members try and convince you that your dream is impossible, because it's not; please believe that!" 

Shelly Garrett is still giving us genuine entertainment by the truckload.  Not only is he the NUMBER ONE BLACK THEATRICAL PRODUCER in the United States, but he is still NUMBER ONE in theatergoers’ hearts all across America!

Encore, Shelly Garrett, encore!

E. JOHNSON

Entertainment Weekly