August Wilson's 20th Century: Two Trains Running

Regulars at Memphis Lee's lunch counter gossip, sermonize and wax poetic on the stories of the day. Learning the city is to demolish their favorite gathering spot in the wake of urban renewal, these colorful souls contemplate where next to seek salvation.

• Mar 20 - Apr 5, 2008
• Terrace Theater
• Approx 2 hrs, 40 min
• $65.00

About the Program | Reviews | Watch and Listen | Additional Resources | Related Events

About the Program

Artists:

• August Wilson , playwright

"One of the most important voices in the American theater"
--The New York Times

Two Trains Running (1960s)
Directed by Israel Hicks

Regulars at Memphis Lee's inner-city lunch counter gossip, sermonize, and wax poetic on the stories of the day. Learning the city is to demolish their favorite gathering spot in the wake of urban renewal, these colorful souls contemplate where next to seek salvation.
--Running Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes, with one intermission--

CASTING
Memphis: Glynn Turman
Wolf: Russell Hornsby
Risa: Michole Briana White
Holloway: Stephen McKinley Henderson
Sterling: Jason Dirden
Hambone: Hassan El-Amin
West: Eugene Lee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An American icon, August Wilson depicted the human condition like no other playwright of his time. His legacy lives on through his crowning achievement: a cycle of 10 plays chronicling the African American experience, each set in a different decade of the 20th century. Crafted over nearly 25 years, these works garnered Wilson myriad accolades, including a Tony Award and two Pulitzer Prizes. Bringing them together for the first time ever, the Kennedy Center presents staged readings of all 10 of Wilson's masterpieces, frequently dubbed "The Pittsburgh Cycle," as all but one are grounded in the city of his youth.

More than 30 stars of stage and screen join Artistic Director Kenny Leon and six other acclaimed directors for this historic month-long celebration (March 4–April 6, 2008). Complemented with costumes, lighting, and scenery, the plays will be performed in chronological order--collectively revealing Wilson's sweeping vision of the challenge and glory of being black in America.

All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

Group of 20 or more? Contact Group Sales for special terms.

Watch and Listen

• Acting for August
• The Greatest Ever
• The Words of August Wilson
• Telling History
• Start with Your Grandmother
• Discovering the Library
• Writing as a Child
• Growing up as “Youngblood”
• The Writing Process
• The Stronger Political Act
• The Artist’s Relationship with the Audience
• Recurring Themes
• The Rehearsal Process
• The Collaboration Process

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Additional Resources

About the Kennedy Center Theater Series

August Wilson 20th Century Festival Page

Cast and Company

Artist:
Frederick Wilson

Reviews and Articles

Related Events

August Wilson's 20th Century: Gem of the Ocean  Mar 4 - 30, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Joe Turner's Come and Gone  Mar 6 - 30, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom  Mar 9 - Apr 1, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: The Piano Lesson  Mar 12 - Apr 2, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Seven Guitars  Mar 14 - Apr 3, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Fences  Mar 16 - Apr 4, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Jitney  Mar 22 - Apr 5, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: King Hedley II  Mar 23 - Apr 6, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Radio Golf  Mar 28 - Apr 6, 2008

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