Request from August Wilson Estate Cancels Celebration at Signature Theatre Company

By: Nov. 03, 2005
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Signature Theatre Company announced today that, at the request of the August Wilson Estate, the company will not be presenting the August Wilson celebration in 2006, previously announced as part of their 15th Anniversary Season.  In a letter sent to the company, the Estate expressed its appreciation of Signature's extensive efforts to celebrate Mr. Wilson's body of work, but said that it couldn't continue to grant rights at this time.

Founding Artistic Director James Houghton said, "We are very disappointed not to have the opportunity to honor our friend and Playwright-in-Residence August Wilson but, of course, we respect the wishes of Mr. Wilson's estate.  This is a very difficult time for his family and for all of us who cared so much for August and revere his extraordinary body of work."  Wilson, known for his towering 10-play chronicle of the African-American experience that encompassed such plays as Fences, The Piano Lesson and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, passed away on October 2nd of this year.

Signature Theatre Company will be announcing revised programming shortly.

Signature's 15th Anniversary Signature Series season will begin on November 15, 2005 with Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful, directed by Harris Yulin and featuring Lois Smith as Carrie Watts and Hallie Foote as Jessie Mae Watts.  The series will continue in the spring with John Guare's Landscape of the Body, directed by Michael Greif and starring Lili Taylor and Sherie Rene Scott.  Landscape of the Body will run March 28-May 21, 2006.

"To make great theatre accessible to the broadest possible audience, Signature has partnered with Time Warner, Inc. to establish a groundbreaking ticket initiative offering every seat at every show for $15," according to press notes.

Signature Theatre Company's Peter Norton Space is located at 555 W. 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).  All tickets, for all shows, are $15.  The performance schedule for shows is Tuesdays-Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM.  For subscription and ticket information, please call (212) 244-PLAY (7529).
  
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