Byham Theater Pittsburgh

'August in August' to sample playwright Wilson's entire oeuvre

This week in Pittsburgh comes to the legacy of the sample of these plays' dramatic comedy and drama in "August in August," a showcase excerpts from all 10 sets of Wilson Cycle Pittsburgh, presented by a cast drawn from Pittsburgh and Broadway. The showcase revives a tradition that flourished in Pittsburgh earlier in the period 2004-06, the packaging of the Byham Theater.

The cycle of 10 plays, one set in each decade of the 20th century, is a feat unparalleled in American theater. Except for the first game, set in 1920 in Chicago (it was Mr.Wilson's first play on Broadway, and he said: "I was in Pittsburgh, so I thought I needed a larger city"), the games are all together in homes, houses pension, offices, diners, shops and dusty backyards of the Hill.

Broadway veterans who will lead the cast of "August in August" are Anthony Chisholm and Stephen McKinley Henderson. Chisholm Wilson plays on Broadway were "Two Trains Running," "Jewel of the Ocean" and "Radio Golf" more "Jitney," which played a large off-Broadway theater and continued to London to win the Olivier Award, the equivalent of the Tony.

Mr.Henderson Wilson plays on Broadway were "King Hedley II," the times of "fences" Denzel Washington and "Ma Rainey" opposite Whoopi Goldberg, and even "Jitney."

These two experienced hands are what Wilson called the playwright, in his greatest praise, "Wilsonian warriors." But if, in terms of Pittsburgh, is another participant, Sala Udin, a childhood friend of young adults by playwright . Best known as a city councilor in Pittsburgh and before that a community organizer, Mr. Udin is also a professional actor who has acted in the premiere of "Jitney" here in 1982.In the Pittsburgh Public Theater, he has "Two Trains Running," and made other cheek Wilson in Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre.

Mr. Udin also appeared in earlier versions of "August ...," first stage as" August in February "(2004 and 2006) and" August in April "(2005). In 2006, he reduced famous guest emcee James Earl Jones to tears are the scene of confrontation between father and son "Jitney" in the part originally written by his friend the playwright for him to play.

The "August ..." scheduling window achieves its intended appearing in August. It also carries out its originally intended.Although its first appearance in 1200 Byham places and several times filled almost to the brim, we must now take up residence in the Center for African American culture named for the playwright, with his most intimate 486-seat theater.

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