In Mark Clayton Southers’ view, August Wilson is America’s greatest playwright.
As such, in the same way the grounds on which Shakespeare’s productions came to life are considered hallowed, Southers sees the theater in the backyard of August Wilson House as a sacred place.
This week, Southers’ Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company closed its run of Wilson’s “Jitney,” about life at a 1970s Pittsburgh jitney station, at the August Wilson House in the Hill District.
Simply working on a Wilson play is an honor, said Southers. Doing so at the venerated playwright’s childhood home is an especially elevated experience. He’s apparently not the only one who feels this way.
“People fly in from around the country to see a show here,” he said. “For one of the shows, someone flew in from Thailand. It is just an amazing experience.”
It’s also outside — which is a treat but comes with challenges.
“We’re steady watching the weather,” said Southers. “We have to use different materials on the sets and cover up the lights after each show. We have to put tarps over the seating and we have to deal with those lanternflies and cicadas.”
Some aspects of being outdoors add “flavor” to a show, however.
“Especially with ‘Jitney’ with cars driving by,” said Southers on the street in front of the house on Bedford Avenue.
The sound of a car revving its engine does enter the space of the backyard stage. But for this patron, the work of stagecraft and actors is too powerful for most moments of outside noise to break the spell.
In one recent production of “Jitney,” a man strolled by while talking on the phone, taking his time. He was either a loud talker or in the midst of an impassioned conversation. His voice did cause some heads to turn toward the street.
Passersby sometimes stopped on the sidewalk to gawk at the production and it was difficult to not look back. Also, there were bugs, some attracted to stage lights, others to the flesh of audience members. But the actors kept on going, drawing the audience in.
Southers says things like a loud car or a hungry mosquito that might seem irritating otherwise provide added texture and richness to a night at the theater.
Perhaps it's the power of theater, or being on sacred grounds like the home of a great playwright, but those aspects of being outside were actually appreciated by this first-timer.
Solomon Gustavo: sgustavo@post-gazette.com.
First Published: September 22, 2022, 10:00 a.m.
