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By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
The spirit of August Wilson is surely living on through his latest Broadway play 'Radio Golf,' which started previews at New York City's Cort Theatre this week.
The late two-time Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwright's final story --in a ten-series cycle -- stars Tony Award winning diva Tonya Pinkins, along with acclaimed actors Harry Lennix, Anthony Chisolm, John Earl Jelks and James A. Williams.
Considered Wilson's most contemporary play, directed by Kenny Leon ('A Raisin in the Sun'), 'Radio' has garnered three coveted Drama League Awards nominations, including Distinguished Production of a Play and two nods for Distinguished Performance for Lennix and Chisolm, respectively.
Other early honors include three nominations for the Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding Play, Distinguished Actor: Chisolm, Set Design), and one Outer Critics Circle Award (Best Play).
Set in 1997 in Pittsburgh's renaissance-ready Hill District, 'Radio' is the story of a charming and powerful African-American politician, who is running for the highest office of his career, with the loving support of his publicity savvy wife. Throw in an overly ambitious business partner, a mysterious stranger from the past and a street-edged man who is good with his hands, and you have a brilliant mix of Wilson at his best.
This Tony Award caliber production is the perfect culmination of Wilson's dynamic mastery of theatrical artform, which includes 'The Piano Lesson,' 'Fences,' 'Two Trains Running' and 'Gem of the Ocean.'
April 27, 2007 will officially mark "August Wilson Day," honoring Wilson, and commemorating what would've been his 62nd birthday. Tony Award winning superstar Whoopi Goldberg is expected at the event, to be held at 10 AM in New York City's Bryant Park, which also kicks off a day-long tribute to the man who has been recognized as the nation's greatest African-American playwright.
BV EXTRAS:
-- AUGUST ALL OVER: A photo gallery of August Wilson here.
-- FEELS LIKE AUGUST: 10 Memorable Quotes from August Wilson here.
-- SEE 'RADIO GOLF' FOR YOURSELF!!! Discounted Tickets are Available here.
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By: Honey on 5/06/2007 8:08PM
Radio Golf is a fine production. We saw it in Princeton several weeks ago. It's too bad it won't open at the August Wilson Theater in city,
though.
It's partly about eminent domain, a legal manner by which local governments can force property owners off their land, or out of their homes - something that's happened to black folks all over the world, and especially in this country.
Equally, perhaps even more interesting is the fact that "Two Trains Running," another in the series of August Wilson's work, just opened in San Diego and ends
there around Memorial Day. Tony Award winner, Chuck Cooper, plays the role of Memphis and has been given excellent reviews:
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933519.html?categoryid=1265&cs=1
Ironically, in 1999 Cooper won the Tony Award for his role as 'Memphis' in "The Life.' So how cool would it be for "Two Trains Running" to come back to NYC with Chuck Cooper as yet another (award winning) Memphis?
The answer? Way cool!!!
I can't wait for one of August Wilson's productions to open at the theater named after him.
One more thing.. Tonya Pinkins, who has the lead female role in "Radio Golf" and Chuck Cooper were both in "Caroline or Change." Tonya is a great singer and
was nominated for a Tony Award in 2005 She was awesome. Although I enjoyed her in "Radio Golf," I sure wish she had a song to sing in the production.
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