Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 15, 2005|Volume 32, Number 26

August Wilson

Cycle of August Wilson plays
to conclude with 'Radio Golf'

The theatrical circle will be complete when the last installment in a cycle of plays by August Wilson chronicling the African-American experience in the 20th century makes its world premiere on the same Yale stage where the series debuted.

Wilson's "Radio Golf," directed by Timothy Douglas, will be presented April 22-May 14 at the Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St.

It was in 1984 that the Yale Rep introduced audiences to "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," the first of nine plays by Wilson -- each set in a different decade of the 1900s. The cycle continued at Yale Rep with the premieres of "Fences" (1985), "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" (1986), "The Piano Lesson" (1987) and "Two Trains Running" (1990). The other plays in the cycle are "Jitney," "Seven Guitars," "King Hedley" and "Gem of the Ocean." Seven of the plays, including the five that debuted at the Yale Rep, have gone on to Broadway.

In "Radio Golf," which is set in the 1990s, Aunt Ester's house at 1839 Wylie Avenue is slated for demolition in a redevelopment project when a stranger, claiming ownership, shows up and begins to paint it. The play's characters struggle with a number of questions: How can they disprove his identity? Will the federal government declare the Hill District blighted, unleashing federal money for its development? Can the money be legally diverted to buy a radio station and cash in before the tax laws granting favorable status to minority owners are repealed? Who is Harmond Wilks and will his plan to teach inner city kids to play golf and propel them into the middle class come to fruition? Will he be successful in his bid to be the city's first black mayor? Will his marriage survive?

Wilson has received two Pulitzer Prizes ("Fences" and "Piano Lesson"); a Tony Award ("Fences"); Great Britain's Olivier Award ("Jitney"); and seven New York Drama Critics Circle Awards ("Ma Rainey," "Fences," "Joe Turner," "Piano Lesson," "Two Trains," "Seven Guitars" and "Jitney"). In addition, the cast recording of "Ma Rainey" received a 1985 Grammy Award, and Wilson earned a 1995 Emmy Award nomination for his screenplay adaptation of "The Piano Lesson." In 1999, Wilson was awarded a National Humanities Medal.

Director Douglas, a 1986 graduate of the School of Drama, was associate artistic director at Actors Theatre of Louisville 20012004, where he staged "The Piano Lesson," among other works. He has directed a wide range of productions at numerous venues, including the Guthrie Theatre, The Juilliard School and Mark Taper Forum. He served on the faculties of American Conservatory Theater, the National Theatre Conservatory and New Zealand Drama School, among others.

The cast of "Radio Golf" includes Richard Brooks, Anthony Chisholm, John Earl Jelks, Michele Shay and James A. Williams.

Brooks' stage credits include the Eugene O'Neill Theater Conference's production of "Fences" and the title role in Wilson's "King Hedley II" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. On television, he starred as assistant district attorney Paul Robinette on "Law & Order" and as Henry McNeil on "Good vs. Evil." His feature films include "Shakedown," "Shocker" and "Johnny B. Good," which he also directed.

Chisholm was seen on Broadway as Solly Two Kings in Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean" and as Wolf in "Two Trains Running." He also received Obie, Drama Desk, NAACP, AUDELCO and Ovation awards for his role as Fielding in "Jitney." His numerous films include "Uptight" and "Beloved." On television, he had a recurring role on "Hack" and played Burr Redding on HBO's "Oz."

Jelks appeared in the Broadway production of Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean," as well as in productions of "Joe Turner" and "The Piano Lesson." He was in Zeinabu Irene Davis' Sundance-nominated film "Compensation." His honors include the 2004 Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Theatre Award for Best Ensemble Equity and the 2003 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award for "Gem of the Ocean."

Shay's performance in Wilson's "Seven Guitars," earned her a Tony nomination and Outer Critics Circle and NAACP Awards. On Broadway, she originated the role of Woman #2 in Samm Art Williams' "Home," and she won an Obie Award for her performance in Mustapha Matura's "Meetings." Her film and television credits include "He Got Game" and the role of Henrietta Morgan on "Another World."

Williams, a company member of Penumbra Theater, has been involved with Wilson's work since 1982, including productions of "Two Trains," "Fences," "Seven Guitars," "King Hedley" and "Jitney." He directed "The Meeting" at Nairobi's The Phoenix Players, the oldest repertory theater in Kenya. His film and television credits include "In the Line of Duty" and "The Fifth Column."

"Radio Golf" features scenic design by David Gallo, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Vincent Olivieri. Todd Kreidler is the dramaturg; Narda E. Alcorn is the stage manager.

Performances of "Radio Golf" will be 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (with a Monday performance on April 25). There will be 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday, May 11, and three Saturdays: April 30 and May 7 and 14.

The Yale Rep will also offer the following special events during the run of "Radio Golf" at no additional cost: "Yale Night" on Friday, April 22, which includes a pre-show discussion with members of the creative team as well as free pizza courtesy of BAR and soft drinks for students from area colleges and universities; "Opening Night" on Thursday, April 28, with a celebration following the performance at The Playwright; "Re:Play," a question-and-answer session with the cast and crew following the matinee performance on Saturday, April 30; and "Senior Matinee" on Wednesday, May 11. The production will be sign-interpreted and audio-described on Saturday, May 14, at 2 p.m.

Tickets, which range from $20 to $45, are available in person at the Yale Rep box office, 1120 Chapel St. at York; by phone (203) 432 1234; and online at www.yalerep.org/.

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