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Constanza Romero Wilson presents Mark Clayton Southers with a plaque to honor his Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company's completion of August Wilson's Century Cycle of plays. PPTC is in its second turn around the cycle, including
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Opening weekend of Pittsburgh Playwrights' 'King Hedley II' canceled

Sharon Eberson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Opening weekend of Pittsburgh Playwrights' 'King Hedley II' canceled

The opening weekend of "King Hedley II" at the August Wilson House has been canceled.

On Friday afternoon, Mark Clayton Southers, leader of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company and a co-director of the play, said earlier that the night’s performance was postponed due to the threat of thunderstorms. Late last night, he said in a statement, “Due to a personnel change within our cast, this weekend’s performances have been canceled. We welcome our patrons to a full refund or the opportunity to choose a different performance date. We apologize for any inconvenience that this sudden change may cause, and we thank you for your support.”

Rico Parker, an actor out of Dayton, Ohio, who previously appeared in “Blue/Orange” for director Andrew Paul, will replace Ezra Smith as King Hedley. The cast also includes Etta Cox and Sala Udin.

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The outdoor performances were to begin April 27, which would have been August Wilson's 73rd birthday. Ticket-holders are asked to request refunds or new tickets at pittsburghplaywrights.org.

Leslie Ezra Smith, left, and Sala Udin, right, read through the script of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company's
Sharon Eberson
Celebrating August Wilson: 'King Hedley II,' a block party are part of the birthday festivities

On Friday morning, the August Wilson House at 1727 Bedford Ave. was the site of Project Update at the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s childhood home, where construction is ongoing. Speakers included the writer's widow, Constanza Romero Wilson; his nephew and executive director of the August Wilson House, Paul Ellis; Terri Baltimore of Hill House; Duquesne University President Ken Gormley; and Mayor William Peduto.

Mr. Ellis said there are plans for a September official groundbreaking at the site, and a grand opening in September 2019.

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The August Wilson House Birthday Celebration Block Party, on Bedford Avenue in front of the house and at the August Wilson Park in the Hill District, is scheduled for Saturday.

Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg.

First Published: April 27, 2018, 6:47 p.m.

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Constanza Romero Wilson presents Mark Clayton Southers with a plaque to honor his Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company's completion of August Wilson's Century Cycle of plays. PPTC is in its second turn around the cycle, including "King Hedley II," which was to open April 27 -- August Wilson's birthday -- but was canceled due to expected thunderstorms.  (Sharon Eberson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Sharon Eberson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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