With the flick of a switch last week, August Wilson joined the small number of people for whom Broadway theaters are named. The playwright became one of only three practitioners of his craft so honored, along with Eugene O’Neill and Neil Simon, and the first African American.
Wilson, who died Oct. 2 from liver cancer at the age of 60, has his name attached to the former Virginia Theater on West 52nd Street. His distinctive signature is inscribed in neon on the marquee.
The marquee was unveiled by Constanza Romero, Wilson’s widow, and his daughters Sakina Ansari and Azula Carmen Wilson. Earlier, Ansari read remarks prepared by the playwright, who learned of the honor several weeks before his death.
Actors in attendence included Charles S. Dutton, Leslie Uggams, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Keith David, André Shields, Anthony Chisholmm, Lillias White and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.