A cultural classic is hitting the stage in Houston, and the energy surrounding it is already electric.

Award-winning playwright Je’Caryous Johnson is bringing his stage adaptation of Set It Off to the city, with Felicia “Snoop” Pearson stepping into the iconic role of Cleo. The production, which has been drawing major attention on social media and selling out theaters across the country, will land in Houston March 28–29.

For Johnson, whose career in theater spans nearly two decades, the success of his plays has always come back to one simple principle; telling stories that reflect the Black experience.

“I care about us,” Johnson said during an interview with Bayou Beat. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. I love Black people, all our diversity, all our crazy, all our ambitions. My goal has always been to document our culture.”

Johnson says his work often mirrors the moments Black communities are living through in real time. Throughout his career, he has woven social context into his storytelling, from the early 2000s through more recent movements for justice.

“Each play is a reflection of the time it was written in,” Johnson said. “I want future generations to look back and understand what we were dealing with, what we were feeling and how we pushed through.”

That same cultural lens shapes Set It Off. The original 1996 film starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise has remained a beloved staple in Black culture for nearly three decades. The story follows four women pushed to the edge by systemic challenges who ultimately fight for survival.

Johnson says the stage version keeps the emotional core of the story intact while bringing new layers to the characters.

“It’s about systemic issues that push these women against the wall,” he said. “They’re fighting for freedom and fighting for what’s theirs.”

One of the most anticipated aspects of the production is Pearson’s portrayal of Cleo, a character made famous by Queen Latifah in the original film.

Pearson, known to many fans for her unforgettable role on The Wire, says she isn’t trying to replicate the original performance.

“I’m just bringing me,” Pearson said. “Queen Latifah is legendary, but this Cleo is my version.”

Early audiences have responded strongly, with social media buzzing about the intensity and authenticity Pearson brings to the role.

Johnson believes that reaction is rooted in Pearson’s ability to channel real-life experiences into the character.

“We haven’t seen Cleo this real, this raw,” he said. “Snoop understands the streets and where that character comes from. She brings something completely different to it.”

While the play has been receiving rave reviews nationwide, the Houston stop carries special meaning for Johnson, who is a Houston native.

Coming home, he admits, brings both pride and pressure.

“This is where it started,” Johnson said. “These are the people who believed in you first. But Houston will also tell you the truth. If it wasn’t good, they’ll say it wasn’t good.”

That honesty, he says, is part of what shaped him as a playwright.

“I want to walk on that stage and know I made my city proud.”

Pearson is also feeling the love from audiences, especially in the DMV area, where the production recently sold out multiple shows.

“People have been showing up,” she said. “The support has been crazy. They were coming out in busses.”

Beyond the play, both artists are continuing to expand their creative work.

Pearson is promoting her memoir, “Grace After Midnight,” which chronicles her life and journey in the entertainment industry. She also revealed that a television series based on her life story is currently in development.

Johnson, meanwhile, is growing his production company with new film projects and upcoming auditions for actors looking to break into the industry. His company plans to host mass auditions in Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles as part of its expanding film division.

But for now, the focus remains on Set It Off , a story that continues to resonate with audiences decades after it first captured the culture.

And according to Johnson, the stage version may spark a familiar debate.

“Some people are already saying the play is better than the movie,” he said with a laugh. “But you’ve got to come see it and decide for yourself.”

Tickets for the Houston performances are available at setitofflive.com.

As Pearson puts it, fans shouldn’t sit this one out.

“Don’t just hear about it,” she said. “Come see it for yourself.”