Blues diva Ma Rainey and her band have come to a Chicago studio to cut a record, but their artistic differences nearly stop the session before it starts. Full of unforgettable characters and the raw power of the blues, this 1920s installment of Wilson's groundbreaking cycle of plays confronts the issues of race, fame, and generational divides through the rhythms of the African-American South.
August Wilson (1945-2005) The most-produced African-American playwright of all time, August Wilson was a self-taught writer whose distinctive style combined poeticism and everyday slang. The plays of his remarkable Pittsburgh Cycle chronicled the black experience in America in every decade of the 20thcentury, winning two Pulitzer Prizes and redefining African-American storytelling for a generation of theatergoers.
The American Repertory Theater is pleased to announce the cast for Johnny Baseball, a world premiere musical about the Red Sox, with music by Robert Reale, lyrics by Willie Reale, book by Richard Dresser, story by Richard Dresser and Willie Reale, with musical direction and vocal arrangements by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett; musical arrangements by Bruce Coughlin.
New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is thrilled to present Hot Mikado, book and lyrics adapted by David H. Bell with musical adaptation and arrangements by Rob Bowman. Hot Mikado opens for the press on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 7:30pm and plays through Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in the Charles Mosesian Theater.
The American Repertory Theater is pleased to announce the cast for Johnny Baseball, a world premiere musical about the Red Sox, with music by Robert Reale, lyrics by Willie Reale, book by Richard Dresser, story by Richard Dresser and Willie Reale, with musical direction and vocal arrangements by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett; musical arrangements by Bruce Coughlin.
Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce its production of The Old Settler by John Henry Redwood, directed by Ron OJ Parson.
Philadelphia Theatre Company announces that two-time Tony Award-nominee and film actress Kathleen Turner will star in the world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel. Directed by award-winning director David Esbjornson, this one-woman play based on the writings of the late political journalist Molly Ivins will take the slot previously slated for Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck. 'Red Hot Patriot' runs March 19 - April 18, 2010.
Casting is complete for Goodman Theatre's Chicago-premiere production of Tracey Scott Wilson's The Good Negro, directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith. Wilson and Smith have tapped nine actors to bring this historical drama to the Albert stage, including Karen Aldridge (Goodman's The Cook; Proof); Teagle F. Bougere (Broadway's A Raisin in the Sun; The Tempest); Tory O. Davis (Goodman's Magnolia); John Hoogenakker (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Shakespeare's Othello); Billy Eugene Jones (Broadway's Passing Strange; Radio Golf); Nambi Kelley (Goodman's Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Victory Gardens' The Lost Boys of Sudan); Demetrios Troy (Northlight's Awake and Sing; Chicago Shakespeare's Richard III); Dan Waller (Goodman's Ghostwritten; Talking Pictures) and Mick Weber (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Theatre's Shear Madness). The production will run from May 1 - June 6, 2010.
The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age. Final performance is slated for February 14.
Philadelphia Theatre Company announces that two-time Tony Award-nominee and film actress Kathleen Turner will star in the world premiere of RED HOT PATRIOT: THE KICK-ASS WIT OF MOLLY IVINS by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel. Directed by award-winning director David Esbjornson, this one-woman play based on the writings of the late political journalist Molly Ivins will take the slot previously slated for MAURITIUS by Theresa Rebeck. Red Hot Patriot runs March 19 - April 18, 2010.
Back by popular demand, Philadelphia Theatre Company will present Chicago's legendary comedy theatre THE SECOND CITY from July 13 - 25 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).
Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce its production of The Old Settler by John Henry Redwood, directed by Ron OJ Parson.
The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age on January 22 - February 14.
Two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington, who is set to appear in August Wilson's FENCES this spring, expressed some lingering regret in turning down the Brad Pitt role in the 1995 thriller SEVEN. Washington told Entertainment Weekly, 'The only film that was sort of dark that I'd turned down was SEVEN. They offered me the Brad Pitt part, but I was like, 'This is so dark & evil.' Then when I saw the movie, I was like, 'Oh Shoot.'
Disney Theatrical Productions welcomes Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg (moderator of ABC's THE VIEW) to the cast of Broadway's landmark musical event, THE LION KING - for one night only - on Thursday, January 14 at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC). Goldberg will appear in a series of surprise cameos throughout the 8pm performance. The announcement was made live this morning on 'The View.' The appearance marks a return for Goldberg to the legit stage and her Lion King roots, having originated the voice of Shenzi the Hyena more than 15 years ago in the 1994 Disney animated feature.
The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age on January 22 - February 14.
Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce its production of The Old Settler by John Henry Redwood, directed by Ron OJ Parson.
Two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington will star in the first Broadway revival of FENCES, the 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by August Wilson. The production will also star Tony Award-winner and Academy Award-nominee Viola Davis. FENCES, directed by Kenny Leon, will open on Monday, April 26, 2010 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street). The strictly limited 14 week engagement will begin previews on April 14.
Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, proudly announces the opening of Black Nativity: A Season for Change, by T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy, directed by Dominic Taylor, with musical direction by Sanford Moore on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The production will run December 3 - December 27, 2009.
The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age on January 22 - February 14.
Fresh from receiving six 2009 Ovation Award nominations (including two for Best Production of a Play and one for Best Overall Season), the multiple award-winning Fountain Theatre celebrates 20 years of excellence with an exciting 2010/2011 season of premieres.
Philadelphia Theatre Company announces that two-time Tony Award-nominee and film actress Kathleen Turner will star in the world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel. Directed by award-winning director David Esbjornson, this one-woman play based on the writings of the late political journalist Molly Ivins will take the slot previously slated for Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck. 'Red Hot Patriot' runs March 19 - April 18, 2010.
The romance of Florence comes to life on stage as Philadelphia Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 season with the hit Broadway musical The Light in the Piazza with book by Craig Lucas and music and lyrics by Adam Guettel on November 13 - December 6. Directed by Joe Calarco, the ensemble cast features Whitney Bashor, Sherri Edelen, Joe Guzman, Ken Krugman, Kyra Miller, Fran Prisco, Matthew Scott, and Maureen Torsney-Weir.
Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, proudly announces the opening of Black Nativity: A Season for Change, by T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy, directed by Dominic Taylor, with musical direction by Sanford Moore on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The production will run December 3 - December 27, 2009.
Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce its production of The Old Settler by John Henry Redwood, directed by Ron OJ Parson.
Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, proudly announces the opening of Black Nativity: A Season for Change, by T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy, directed by Dominic Taylor, with musical direction by Sanford Moore on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The production will run December 3 - December 27, 2009.
Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, proudly announces the opening of Black Nativity: A Season for Change, by T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy, directed by Dominic Taylor, with musical direction by Sanford Moore on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The production will run December 3 - December 27, 2009.
| 1984 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2003 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Theatre World Awards | Performance | Thomas Jefferson Byrd |
| 2003 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play | Thomas Jefferson Byrd |
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