Cooper and Avery to Star in Old Globe's Two Trains Running

Casting has been announced for the Old Globe Theatre's upcoming production of August Wilson's Two Trains Running, which will be presented at the San Diego theatre from April 21st through May 27th.  It will open on April 26th.

According to the theatre's website, the production will star James Avery ("Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "The Closer") as Holloway, Willie Carpenter as Hambone, Chuck Cooper (Tony Award-winner for The Life, Lennon, Caroline, or Change) as Memphis, Edi Gathegi as Sterling, Roslynn Ruff as Risa, Montae Russell as Wolf, and Al White as West.

The production of the 1992 play, which was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play and for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will be directed by Seret Scott.

"Tony Award- and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson is considered to be one of the greatest playwrights in American history. Two Trains Running was hailed by The New York Times as 'Mr. Wilson's most adventurous and honest attempt to reveal the intimate heart of history." Two Trains Running is an engrossing and entertaining slice of life," state Old Globe notes on the show, which is set in Memphis Lee's restaurant in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, 1969.  Two Trains Running is part of the late Wilson's groundbreaking ten-part cycle of plays chronicling the African-American experience in 20th century America.  The others are: Fences, The Piano Lesson, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf.

The production will feature sets by Tony Fanning, costumes by Karen Perry, lighting by Chris Rynne and sound by Paul Peterson.

Visit www.theoldglobe.org for tickets and more information.

Photo of Chuck Cooper by Craig Brockman