SYNOPSIS:

ACT 1

Phillip Dawson is the head of the Dawson family, a wealthy African American family living the American dream. Phillip and Janet have four kids: Gregg, Jess, Kenya, and Kian. He built his wealth from investing in different businesses and stocks; most of them having a great return. Everyone in the family is overly ambitious, except Gregg who is considered the black sheep of the family. A friend of Phillip comes to him for a business opportunity which turns out to be a scam. Phillip has put a lot on the line for this investment, he loses most of his fortune. He never mentions it to his family.

Phillip and Janet's marriage has been on the rocks, they have no chemistry, and the passion has gone. Janet is suspicious of her husband’s secret rendezvous with a young woman and a baby. She believes he cheated on her. This strains their relationship. Jess' marriage to Chris is also in trouble, he is a violent man who abuses her. She pretends to have the perfect marriage in front of the family, but she knows she must end things with him.

ACT 2

After one of their fights lands her in the hospital, she reaches a breaking point. In order to be safe and protected, she moves into her brother’s house although she does not get along with his wife. Chris is furious that Jess moved out, he threatens to kill her if she ever leaves him. Jess decides to get a divorce, she starts the process. While still living with her brother and his family, Jess and her sister-in-law Shonda become closer.

After hearing a conversation of Janet admitting that she didn't love Phillip when they got married, Phillip is devastated. In order to get revenge, he reveals that he married her for money and connections. Neither of them can handle these hurtful truths they just revealed, they separate. Since Phillip has lost most of his wealth, they must say goodbye to their lavish lifestyle and live within their means.

Kenya later reveals to her parents that she is pregnant, and her mother does not take the news well. The father of her child wants nothing to do with her, he bails out. After being away from her husband and kids for a while, Janet starts to miss them, and the loneliness kicks in. Her mother advises her to go back to him and fight for her marriage and family, Janet's ego won't allow her to do that. She tells her mom that going back would make her look desperate, her mother disagrees. She starts going to therapy to deal with her current situation.

ACT 3

Phillip holds a family meeting, and Janet attends too. He reveals that the woman Janet saw him with is not his lover. She is his daughter from his first love, everyone welcomes Cassie and her son to the family, Janet is hesitant. On her way to work, Jess gets a phone call, it's her mother-in-law. She informs her that Chris has passed away after an incident at a bar.

After some time of figuring out the next step, Janet and Phillip realize that they did fall in love. They choose to stay together. Janet starts to repair her relationship with her daughter, Kenya's boyfriend comes around and wants to be there for her and the baby. After a crazy year for the Dawson family, they realize how important family is.

THE DAWSONS