Bewick & Mack Detroit EM News Interview
Local playwright, producer, director and actress, Dykema Mathews of the hit local TV miniseries “Bewick and Mack” sat down to talk about her project and culture to Detroit EM News and here’s what she shared.
Dykema Mathew, Producer
Q: Who or what inspired you to create your miniseries?
DM: “I wanted to dismiss the myths and present an image of a more ‘feel good family’ and balanced structure that has always existed in Detroit. There ‘is still’ wonderful people in most areas of the City of Detroit, especially on the corner of Bewick & Mack. I wanted the world to see “this” area of Detroit in a brighter light. Contrary to sigma and beliefs, it is my intent to send a message about the many great families (some) for 50 years that continue to live on Bewick & Mack. I realize how negative mainstream media has portrayed Detroit reflecting thugs, drugs, guns and violence, which I attest is the furthest from the truth.”
Q: How did you come up with the plot for Cabbage Soup?
DM: “One of my cast members along with his family went on a diet, a cabbage soup diet. That’s where I got the idea. I thought it would be good for the Kearney family to all go on a diet. So, I created a spoof off of that theme for “this” episode.”
“The Kearney’s is a fictitious family, not a parody of any kind. The Kearney family is a “real time” modern day black family that lives in a two family flat on Detroit’ eastside, ach member gainfully employed, committed to their family, the City of Detroit and their neighborhood. Within each episode, we produce comedy that reflects reality. Most of the plots behind Bewick & Mack surround the lead roles of the Kearney family members along with other character roles like ‘Too Sweet,’ a vagabond who lives behind the Bewick & Mack store. ‘Too Sweet’ (in a sense) adopts the Kearney family and befriends the community while their relationships and interactions are depicted in the miniseries. In fact, quite frequently, we integrate residence from the community in our performances.”
Q: How many episodes have you produced thus far?
Julia Hamilton
DM: “Well, for my first few years, I developed three (3), 30 minute episodes, per season. Since our inception in 2005, Juliet Hamilton has remained the only original cast member. Our current cast has been with us since 2007. To date, we have produced 21 episodes which portray the actions of the Kearney family and other characters in the series.”
Can you clarify the misconception of the street corner “Bewick & Mack” in relationship to your TV sitcom?
DM: “Over twenty years ago, Bewick & Mack, a residential and commercial intersection or corner on the lower eastside of Detroit became an area with a reputation for crime. During these years, amongst the chaos, a store located at the intersection of Bewick & Mack became stigmatized by the violence surrounding that area. In 2006, I approached Mr. Sam, the owner of the Mack & Bewick Store and shared my idea to bring light to the preconceptions and misconceptions of our neighborhoods. He seemed interested and replied, “Let’s do it.” Since then, Mr. Sam has remained an intricate part of the show. He has a reoccurring character role and is a major sponsor of our work. It’s been Mr. Sam’s commitment to support the community, our project and promote our culture.”
“As long as we continue to film on Bewick and Mack, shining and showing people we’re good, decent people, we’ll continue to keep away the bad stuff. These bad influences realize Bewick & Mack is our home and it’s obviously working.”
“My experience as a cast member really opened my eyes to sigma. Just because you live in a certain area doesn’t mean that you are a part of the environment surrounding that area.”