Homage featuring Amiri Baraka and A.C. Smith at Wash. U. on Nov. 22
By Meliqueica Meadows
For the St. Louis American
The St. Louis Black Repertory Company will hold a special tribute in honor of two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson Tuesday on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Hotchner Theatre at Washington University.
Wilson, who died of liver cancer at age 60, was a giant of the American stage. He chronicled, by decade, the African-American experience in the 20th century in a cycle of 10 plays. The Black Rep has produced seven of the 10 plays and has plans to produce the remaining shows.
Black Rep founding director Ron Himes said it is only fitting that his company host a tribute to the renowned writer.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating the cycle and paying homage to Mr. Wilson,” Himes said.
“In this generation, no one has documented the African-American experience the way that he has.”
And few theatrical groups have dedicated the time and focus to Wilson’s work that the Black Rep has shown.
“After we do King Hedley II this spring (Feb. 8-March 5, 2006), we will have done eight of the plays,” Himes said.
“The only two that we’ll have left to do are Gem of the Ocean, which isn’t published yet, and Radio Golf, which is still in production and hopefully will be on Broadway next year.”
During the Black Rep’s tribute on Tuesday, local and national actors will perform scenes and monologues from each play of Wilson’s historic 10-play cycle. Himes said the program would open and close with legendary poet and playwright Amiri Baraka.
“I’m sure that he’s writing something incredible about August Wilson and his plays,” Himes said.
“We’re also bringing in Steven Henderson who has appeared on Broadway in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and in King Hedley II. He also toured with Jitney for several years all over the country and the UK.”
Himes said local actors and community leaders are scheduled to take part in the tribute.
“We’re bringing in A.C. Smith who was a regular here and one of our audience’s favorites,” Himes said. “We are also bringing in a host of other local actors as we attempt to do scenes and/or monologues from all of the plays.”
The evening also will feature American publisher (and longtime Wilson fan) Donald M. Suggs; Henry Schvey, chair of the Washington University Performing Arts Department; and Washington University professor Rafia Zafar.
“People should come out because of who Mr. Wilson was and because of the importance of his work in terms of the African-American canon in the American theatre,” Himes said.
“I think that it will be entertaining, educational, uplifting and it’s a good way to get ready for the Black Reps’ 29th season.”
The Black Repertory Company’s tribute to August Wilson will take place Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Hotchner Studio Theatre (inside the Edison Theatre building) on the campus of Washington University. The tribute is free and open to the public.
