The Hill District that August Wilson chronicled to global acclaim will be the site of multiple celebrations of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright during this, his birthday week. Wilson, who died in 2005, would have been 73 on April 27.
That’s Friday and opening day for Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company’s “King Hedley II,” in the space behind Wilson’s childhood home, at 1727 Bedford Ave. It is their second such production in the city landmark — in 2016, they performed “Seven Guitars” there.
On Saturday, the third annual August Wilson Birthday Celebration, hosted by the August Wilson House, will take over with its third annual block party, featuring music, dance, a monologue competition, food trucks, vendors, family-friendly activities and more.
‘King Hedley II’
The play set in the 1980s, when videos seemed like a good investment, is about an ex-con trying to rebuild his life by selling stolen refrigerators so he can buy a Blockbuster-style store. Some of the characters make the leap from the “Seven Guitars,” which was set in the late ‘40s.
“King Hedley II,” a collaboration of Pittsburgh Playwrights and the August Wilson House, features Leslie Ezra Smith in the title role, Sala Udin as Stool Pigeon, Etta Cox as Ruby, Sam Lothard as Mister, Karla Payne and Dominique Briggs sharing the role of Tonya and as Elmore, Wali Jamal, completing the Century Cycle of appearing in all 10 August Wilson plays.
Pittsburgh Playwrights’ Mark Clayton Southers learned many things from the “Seven Guitars” production in spring 2016.
“There’s a spirit of being back there. We never felt stressed. It was like August’s spirit was there, and we were doing something that had never been done before, so the payoff was that we were fortunate enough just to be able to do it. We just wanted it to be the best it could be.”
Mr. Southers usually acts as his company’s designer and a builder of sets, but because he is recovering from knee surgery and an infection that followed, “it’s not a good idea” for him to be lugging lumber and tools.
So the bulk of the monetary investment this time around was spent on risers to hold audience chairs. The largest investment the first time around was in electrical work. PPTC now owns the risers for future outdoor showcases, and possibly, to rent to other companies.
With rain and snow still in the mid-April mix, “The biggest challenge now is weather,” said Mr. Southers, who is directing with help from Monteze Freeland and Dennis Robinson Jr. “If we can get through the first couple of weeks, we’ll be fine.”
“King Hedley II” runs Friday through June 3, 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturday this weekend, then 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays (Industry Night is May 21). Rain makeup days are Mondays and Thursdays. Tickets: $37.50 in advance, or $42.50 at the door. www.pghplaywrights.org/hedley.
Project update
From 10-11 a.m. Friday, the August Wilson House will host a Project Update. Those most involved in the building’s restoration as a celebration of the playwright’s legacy and an arts center for the Hill will describe the progress made and related projects already underway. Speakers will include architect Rob Pfaffmann, landscape designer Walter Hood, Duquesne University President Ken Gormley and Wilson’s widow, Constanza Romero Wilson, head of the August Wilson estate. All are welcome; coffee and 1950s donuts will be served.
The welcome mat also will be out from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, when the streets will be filled with music, food, performance artists, crafts and more to honor August Wilson’s legacy.
The Block Party starts west of the August Wilson House on Manilla Street and extends east to Ledlie Street, to accommodate 70 vendors and food booths and the Main Stage for continuous performances throughout the day. The party also runs down Cassatt Street to the August Wilson Park on Cliff Street, where there will be a Kids Zone for children. Last year’s party attracted about 1,000 people, with expectations of many more this year.
The Backyard Stage, behind the House at 1727 Bedford, will be in use with monologue competitions for cash prizes, held on the hour. Actors should register in advance by emailing Mr. Southers (austinsills@comcast.net). Monologues, limited to three minutes, may be from any source except August Wilson, in the spirit of his practice of supporting other playwrights.
The August Wilson House will use the occasion to bestow its first August Wilson Legacy Award to Meg Cheever, founding president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, for her community leadership in the development of the August Wilson Park, which opened in 2016.
Paul Ellis, executive director of the August Wilson House Committee and the playwright’s nephew, said Ms. Cheever, “worked tirelessly to revitalize a natural space for residents, one with expanded and magnificent views, new play areas and public art. Ultimately, the park is a lasting tribute to our national treasure, August Wilson, and a wonderful amenity for our residents.”
Among the other highlights, DJ Selecta will provide the soundtrack from the Main Stage and WAMO-FM’s Kiki Brown will host a live remote from noon to 2 p.m.
Throughout the day, a shuttle bus will loop througout the Hill, up Centre Avenue and down Bedford, for pickups and drop-offs.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.augustwilsonbirthdaycelebration.com.
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg.
First Published: April 19, 2018, 4:00 p.m.
