Signature Theatre Pays Tribute to August Wilson on Feb. 26

Signature Theatre Company, under the direction of Founding Artistic Director James Houghton and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, will pay tribute to the late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson at their annual Benefit Gala on Monday, February 26. The evening, entitled August Wilson, A CELEBRATION, will begin at 6:30 PM with cocktails followed by dinner and presentations at the Ritz Carlton New York (Two West Street, Battery Park).

The celebration will include surprise guests, including Delroy Lindo, and a special tribute presentation by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Scheduled to perform are Ebony Jo-Ann and Bill Simms Jr. Wilson's widow Constanza Romero will act as Honorary Co-Chair of the evening.

In addition, Time Warner will receive Signature Theatre's Annual Playwrights' Award in recognition of their immeasurable support of Signature's 15th Anniversary season and groundbreaking $15 ticket initiative program.

Signature Theatre Company will begin performances of Wilson's KING HEDLEY II on Tuesday, February 20. The production, directed by Derrick Sanders, will run through April 15.

August Wilson (April 27, 1945 - October 2, 2005). August Wilson authored Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of African Americans, decade-by-decade, over the course of the twentieth century. Mr. Wilson's plays have been produced at regional theatres across the country and all over the world, as well as on Broadway. In 2003, Mr. Wilson made his professional stage debut in his one-man show, How I Learned What I Learned. Mr. Wilson's works garnered many awards, including Pulitzer Prizes for Fences (1987); and for The Piano Lesson (1990); a Tony Award for Fences; Great Britain's Olivier Award for Jitney; as well as seven New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, and Jitney. Additionally, the cast recording of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom received a 1985 Grammy Award, and Mr. Wilson received a 1995 Emmy Award nomination for his screenplay adaptation of The Piano Lesson. Mr. Wilson's early works included the one-act plays: The Janitor, Recycle, The Coldest Day of the Year, Malcolm X, The Homecoming and the musical satire Black Bart and the Sacred Hills.

Individual tickets for August Wilson, A CELEBRATION are $500-$1,000 and can be purchased by calling at 212-967-1913 Ex. 28.

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