FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cindy Moran,
Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761
February 18, 2010
Wilson’s dynamic and humorous play about
future hopes and dreams
RADIO GOLF
By August Wilson
Directed by Timothy Douglas
| Made possible by the generous
support of: |
 |
Stiemke Theater
Previews: March 3 and 4, 2010 Opens: March 5, 2010 Closes: March
28, 2010
A dynamic and surprisingly humorous play about a successful real estate developer
and the challenges he faces when he sets his sights on becoming the city’s
first black mayor. Supporting his efforts are his wife, an ambitious public
relations executive, and his business partner, a Tiger Woods fanatic (who gets
involved in a radio station scheme). But when he’s about to demolish
the decaying home of the legendary Aunt Ester, secrets are revealed that could
be his undoing. This is the Tony Award-nominated finale of August Wilson’s
unprecedented ten-play cycle chronicling African-American life in the 20th
century. Tickets can be purchased in person at The Rep Ticket Office
at 108 East Wells Street or by telephone at 414-224-9490. Tickets can also
be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com.
It seems that nothing can stop Harmond’s ambition to become mayor, and
his redevelopment plan for the Hill District with Roosevelt is going strong,
until one obstacle comes into view: an old house at 1839 Wylie and its owner,
Elder Joseph Barolow, commonly known as Old Joe. This old, decaying home turns
out to have a very significant past as the home of Aunt Ester, a renowned public
figure from the Hill’s past.
Meanwhile, Roosevelt is in the middle of negotiating a deal with his golf partner,
Bernie Smith, to buy radio station WBTZ. Roosevelt is ecstatic about the business
deal, while Harmond urges Roosevelt to be cautious, reminding him there’s
always a catch. As their redevelopment program progress, money and success drive
Roosevelt beyond his own roots and personal dignity and pride keeps him from
questioning or halting the plans he has conceived.
Matters become more convoluted when Harmond begins researching the old home’s
history, along with Old Joe’s personal background, causing him to second
guess all the plans he and Roosevelt have put in motion. These doubts are only
strengthened when Sterling Johnson, a self-employed contractor and neighborhood
handyman, comes to Harmond’s office and brings to light important information
concerning the house’s powerful and significant historical roots. Harmond
now faces an ethical dilemma that has to do with making improvements for the
city to progress without erasing African-American history in the process.
RADIO GOLF is the powerful conclusion to August Wilson’s Twentieth-Century
Cycle. Set in the 1990s, it is the most contemporary play of the cycle.
The play raises many important questions: what is the nature of success? what
is progress? how do we honor the past? Don’t miss this opportunity to see
RADIO GOLF, written before our first African-American president was elected,
yet timely and thought-provoking in the important issues it raises today.
Playwright August Wilson was born in 1945 to Daisy Wilson
and Frederick Kittel. The family lived in the Hill District of Pittsburgh,
a predominantly black neighborhood. Though he lived in poverty, August Wilson
felt that his parents were withholding an experience of the even greater hardships
of their past, an idea he would eventually bring to life through his writing.
Wilson educated himself at the Carnegie Library, reading works by authors such
as Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Jorge Luis Borges and Richard Wright, among
others. At the age of 20, Wilson began writing. His purpose was to illuminate
the past of African Americans, and his inspiration was the blues. He wanted
to be a part of the oral tradition with performance art.
In 1983 Wilson wrote the Pulitzer Prize & Tony Award-winning play FENCES
(1989/90). The following year he wrote JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE (1993/94),
which earned him the New York Drama Critics Circle Best Play Award in 1988.
In 1986 he wrote THE PIANO LESSON, perhaps his best-known and most frequently
produced play, which won Wilson his second Pulitzer Prize and several Best
Play awards from such esteemed groups as The Drama Desk and the American Theatre
Critics Association.
RADIO GOLF marks the last play in the Twentieth-Century Cyclewhich
includes ten other plays chronicling the heritage of African Americans in every
decade of the 20th century. Wilson passed away at the age of 60 in 2005, but
before he died Wilson said, “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and
work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to
wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel,
as a reminder of your strength.”
Director Timothy Douglas returns to Milwaukee Rep after directing
last season’s stunning production of TROUBLE IN MIND. A graduate of Yale
School of Drama, Douglas had the honor of directing the world premiere of RADIO
GOLF at his alma mater in 2005. Douglas has taught and directed at the Yale
Repertory Theatre and The American Conservatory Theater. In addition, Douglas
was also Director in Residence for the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles (1994-97),
Associate Artistic Director at the Actors Theatre in Louisville (2001-2004)
where he directed A.M. SUNDAY, ALL MY SONS, ART, BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY,
CRIMES OF THE HEART, JITNEY, THE LIVELY LAD and THE PIANO LESSON and has since
been directing in various theaters across the country.
A few highlights in Douglas’ repertoire include: PERMANENT COLLECTION
and A LESSON BEFORE DYING for Roundhouse Theatre; his Caribbean-inspired MUCH
ADO ABOUT NOTHING for Folger Shakespeare Theatre and a premiere translation
of Ibsen’s ROSMERSHOLM Off-Broadway for Oslo Elsewhere. Additional credits
include: the world premiere of LINE IN THE SAND (Virginia Stage Company); GOOD
BREEDING (American Conservatory Theater); the West Coast premiere of A FEMININE
ENDING (South Coast Repertory and Portland Center Stage); PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
(PlayMakers Repertory Company); IN THE BLOOD (Guthrie Theater); ASSASSINS,
INSURRECTION and BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY (Berkshire Theatre Festival); THE
CRUCIBLE, JITNEY and INTIMATE APPAREL (Syracuse Stage); BOCON (Mark Taper Forum);
THE GAME OF LOVE AND CHANCE (San Jose Repertory Theatre); PORTIA COUGHLIN and
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre) and
VALLEY SONG (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), as well as projects
for the New York Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center Theatre Company, Downstage
(New Zealand), Indiana Repertory Theatre, Crossroads, Magic Theatre, Shakespeare & Company,
Utah Shakespearean Festival, A.S.K. Theatre Projects, The Juilliard School,
Toi Whakaari (New Zealand), Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and the O’Neill
Playwright’s Center.
Mr. Douglas is no stranger to The Rep. In 2006 he
directed another August Wilson play, GEM OF THE OCEAN (2006/07). He also directed
the world premiere of THE NIGHT IS A CHILD (2007/08) by Charles Randolph-Wright
in 2008. Additionally, he recently appeared on stage at The Rep in this year’s
production of A CHIRSTMAS CAROL, performed annually at the historic Pabst Theater.
The cast of RADIO GOLF includes guest actors Doug
Brown (Sterling Johnson), Tyrone Mitchell Henderson (Harmond
Wilks), Howard W. Overshown (Roosevelt Hicks), William
C. Mitchell (Elder Joseph Barlow) and Kelly Taffe (Mame
Wilks).
(To learn more about our Resident Acting Company, Guest Actors or our Intern
Company, please visit www.milwaukeerep.com.)
(To read more about RADIO GOLF, please see The Rep's online
publication Prologue go to www.milwaukeerep.com.)
(RADIO GOLF production photos will be posted at milwaukeerep.com/about/photos.htm.)
The Production/Design Team for RADIO GOLF includes: Junghyun
Gerogia Lee (Scenic/Costume Designer); Marcus Doshi (Lighting
Designer); Ray Nardelli(Sound Designer) Mark S. Shaba (Stage
Manager); Laura Webb (Assistant Director) and Christine
Czerwinski (Stage Management Intern).
Tickets to RADIO GOLF are $25.00. For more information or
to charge tickets, call 414-224-9490. Tickets can be purchased
online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com. For group sales of 10 or
more, call The Rep Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.
The Rep has two special opportunities where you can gather to learn more about RADIO
GOLF and discuss it. Join us for The Rep In Depth,
a free pre-show talk that will give insights into the production. The
Rep In Depth starts 45 minutes before show time. The other opportunity
is to stay for the post-show discussion called The Rep Talkback (see
schedule listed below). Talkbacks give audience members the opportunity to
ask questions and discuss the play with the cast.
Special Events for RADIO GOLF:
• Join us for The Rep In Depth, our lively informative
half-hour talk which starts 45 minutes before every performance in the Stiemke
Theater.
• On Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 pm there
will be an Audio-Described Performance for patrons who are blind or have low
vision.
• The Rep Talkbacks will be held after the Thursday evening performances
on March 18 and 25. The Rep Talkbacks are offered immediately
after select performances and offer an opportunity for audience members to
ask questions about the play to Rep company members and actors in the production.
For more information on The Rep Talkbacks, please contact the Ticket Office
at 414-224-9490.
• On Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 pm there
will be an American Sign Language Interpreted Performance for patrons who are
deaf or have low hearing.
• Pay-What-You-Can dates for this production are Wednesday, March
3 and Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. This is your chance to experience
some of Milwaukee’s best live theater at a price you can afford.
A $5.00 minimum donation is suggested. Stiemke performances start at 7:30 pm;
Tickets go on sale at 5:30 pm on the day of the performance. All performances
are held in the Stiemke Theater located in the Milwaukee Center at 108 E. Wells
Street. For more information call The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.
Wilson’s dynamic and humorous play about future hopes and dreams
RADIO GOLF
By August Wilson
Directed by Timothy Douglas
| Made possible by the generous support
of: |
|
FACT SHEET
THEATER: Stiemke Theater
DATES: March 3, 2010 - March
28, 2010
DESCRIPTION: A dynamic and surprisingly humorous
play about a successful real estate developer and the challenges he faces when
he sets his sights on becoming the city’s first black mayor. Supporting
his efforts are his wife, an ambitious public relations executive, and his
business partner, a Tiger Woods fanatic (who gets involved in a radio station
scheme). But when he’s about to demolish the decaying home of a legendary
Aunt Ester, secrets are revealed that could be his undoing. This is the Tony
Award-nominated finale of August Wilson’s unprecedented ten-play cycle
chronicling African-American life in the 20th century.
PERFORMANCES:
Wednesday, 3/3/10 - 7:30 p.m. - Preview/Pay-What-You-Can
Thursday, 3/4/10 - 7:30 p.m. - Preview/Pay-What-You-Can
Friday, 3/5/10 - 8:00 p.m. -
Open
Saturday, 3/6/10 – 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 3/7/10 - 2:00/7:00
Wednesday, 3/10/10 – 1:30/7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 3/11/10 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 3/12/10 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 3/13/10 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 3/14/10 - 2:00/7:00
Tuesday, 3/16/10 – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 3/17/10 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 3/18/10 - 7:30 p.m. – Audio Description
Friday, 3/19/10 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 3/20/10 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 3/21/10 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 3/23/10 – 6:30 p.m. – Early Bird
Wednesday, 3/24/10 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 3/25/10 - 7:30 p.m. - American Sign Language
Friday, 3/26/10 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 3/27/10 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 3/28/10 - 2:00/7:00 p.m. - 2:00/Smoke-Free,
7:00/Close
TICKET
PRICES: All seats are $25.00.*
(*Note: Due to new lower pricing in The Stiemke Theater, additional discounts
do not apply.)
TICKETS/INFORMATION: 414-224-9490 or buy tickets online
at milwaukeerep.com
TICKET OFFICE LOCATION: 108
East Wells Street in Milwaukee’s Downtown Theater District
TICKET OFFICE HOURS: Mon
- Fri, 12 pm - 6 pm on phones, 12 pm - curtain for window
Sat/Sun 12 pm - 6
pm on phones, 12 pm - curtain for window
###
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is a nationally recognized
theater company that presents a critically-acclaimed selection
of compelling dramas, powerful classics, award-winning contemporary
works and lively Cabaret shows on three stages from September through
May. The Rep also produces an annual production of A CHRISTMAS
CAROL. The Rep's home, the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex,
accommodates the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, the Stiemke Theater
and the Stackner Cabaret. The Rep is also home to a Resident Acting
Company of 10 actors who perform with The Rep throughout the season.
The
Rep is proud to be a member of the United
Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual
financial support. Through
community support of the United Performing Arts Fund, UPAF
Member and Affiliate Groups are able to provide education
and outreach to over 400,000 children, provide over 2,000
live performances and reach over 1,000,000 people every year.
When everyone supports the arts through UPAF, they help our
local economy, improving education and strengthening outreach
programs to the disabled and elderly – all while adding
culture to their own life. Support of UPAF is critical to
UPAF Member Groups’ ability
to continue to offer exceptional live performances, award-winning
education and outreach programming and substantial economic
impact to our region. To learn more about UPAF or to donate,
go to www.upaf.org.
The Rep is supported in part by a grant
from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of
Wisconsin. The Rep is a member of the League
of Resident Theatres (LORT), a management association
of some of the nation's largest non-profit professional
theaters that collectively bargains with the unions that
represent the actors, directors and designers that work
at The Rep; a constituent of Theatre
Communications Group (TCG), the national organization
for the nonprofit professional theater; and a member of Theatre
Wisconsin, the statewide association of non-profit
professional theaters. This theater operates under an
agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors'
Equity Association, the union of professional actors
and stage managers in the United States. The set, costume
and lighting designers are members of United
Scenic Artists,
a national labor union. This theater is an equal opportunity employer.
Except in plays where race itself is an issue, casting
is decided based on ability, not race.
Milwaukee
Repertory Theater
Patty & Jay Baker Theatre Complex
108 E Wells St Milwaukee, WI 53202
Ticket Office: 414-224-9490 Ticket Office Fax: 225-5490
Administrative: 414-224-1761 Fax: 414-224-9097
milwaukeerep.com |
