By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

August Wilson's final play 'Radio Golf' is a winner.

On the heels of opening at Broadway's Cort Theatre earlier this week, the Kenny Leon-directed tour-de-force -- starring Harry Lennix and Tonya Pinkins -- was awarded the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play.

This latest win makes the late Pultizer Prize and Tony Award winner the most celebrated playwright by the Circle with eight wins, total.

The awards will be presented at a cocktail reception on May 14 at the Algonquin Hotel, where the New York Drama Critics' Circle was founded in 1935. Comprised of 21 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines and wire services based in the New York metropolitan area, The New York Drama Critics' Circle Award holds the distinction as the nation's second-oldest theater award, after the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

'Radio Golf,' also starring Anthony Chisolm, John Earl Jelks and James A. Williams, is the final play in a ten play cycle, chronicling African American life in Pittsburgh through the 20th century -- decade by decade.

Set in 1997 in the city's renaissance-ready Hill District, 'Radio' is the story of a charismatic real estate mogul with promising political aspirations. He and his publicity savvy, Starbuck-swigging spouse are a shoo-in to be the city's next power couple. But ghosts from the past shake him to his moral core, as a government sanctioned gentrification project gets underway.

With Tupac Shakur, Usher and EnVogue as a musical backdrop, and imagery of Tiger Woods in full swing displayed, 'Radio Golf' is a great reflection of what the contemporary landscape embodies. The play's title is the name of a black-owned radio station's program. African-American business dealing and the new popularity of golf is a big part of the storyline.

Even the notorious N-Word gets some shine during an intense scene, where two black male stereotypes go toe-to-toe. "Negroes got blindeyetis," one character tells another. "A dog knows it's a dog. A cat knows it's a cat. But a Negro don't know he's a Negro. He thinks he's a white man." From there the language gets a little uncomfortable -- for some -- but nevertheless remains authentic.

Acclaimed actors Tamara Tunie and Wendell Pierce are making their own history by co-producing this monumental effort -- their first Broadway play.

"It's about August Wilson and his legacy and his brilliance and his contribution to the country as a whole," Tunie told 'The BV Newswire.'

The coveted Tony Awards nominations will be announced on May 15, and 'Radio Golf' is certainly worthy of a few nods.

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.