King Hedley II at Bishop Arts Theatre Center

August Wilson’s King Hedley II is a raw, lyrical, and unflinching portrait of Black life in 1980s Pittsburgh, part of Wilson’s legendary American Century Cycle. The play follows King, an ex-convict trying desperately to rebuild his life, stake a claim to dignity, and create a future in a world stacked against him. With themes of legacy, redemption, and survival, Wilson weaves a gripping tale that lays bare the weight of generational trauma while illuminating the enduring strength of community and hope. A searing exploration of dreams deferred and the cost of resilience, King Hedley II is both intimate and epic—a story that confronts the harsh realities of the past while demanding we reckon with the struggles of the present.

Authors

• August Wilson