Playwright August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle traces the complicated journey of a black American family through 10 decades of the 20th century. From one generation to the next, the characters strive to matter to themselves, to family members and to the community.
“King Hedley II,” the ninth play in the cycle, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. The 2001 Broadway production received six Tony Award nominations and five Drama Desk Award nominations. The Arena Stage production of this powerful drama features a team well-versed in Wilson’s works and the heritage they depict. Although this play stands alone, it refers to events in earlier plays.
Bowman Wright stars in the title role after his appearance with the company as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in “The Mountaintop.” This King, newly released from prison after seven years, vacillates between kindness and fury.
“We all share something in common with one another,” Mr. Wright told The Washington Times about the challenge of getting inside a man with such erratic behavior. “To be able to take care of your family and be a provider is a struggle for many. King has pride, so supporting them is foremost in his mind.
“Wilson gives us a sense of history by taking us back to what it was like right after slavery. In this country, you are affected by the state of things. His 10 plays cover everything that affected this family and so many others like them, from political statements to baseball and jazz musicians. The more you read him, the better you understand where you’re coming from.”
Mr. Wright credits Miss Baskerville, his teacher at Barringer High School in Newark, New Jersey, with talking him into joining a drama and debate group. The competitions she built around American history whetted his interest in becoming a performer. A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Mr. Wright has made regional appearances at La Jolla Playhouse, Virginia Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Washington’s Signature Theatre. Other credits are films for Lionsgate (“Sight”) and Sainvil Productions (“Vinson”) and TV shows “Person of Interest,” “Blue Bloods” and “Elementary.”
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He thinks of Miss Baskerville’s emphasis on storytelling as he approaches each role. “King Hedley II” is ultimately sad, yet there are uplifting moments. Mr. Wright is especially touched by the scenes with Mister and Tonya. Even though King is the antithesis of Mister, they are brothers.
“Mister is my man. He and I have a best friend relationship, and Tonya is my wife. I talk with her about the baby and our future. These two know everything about me. Even though the relationship is difficult between me and my mother, Ruby, she understands why I’m like I am.
“The role is exhausting. King might storm in, or he is dealing with something best explained in a monologue. To pace myself, I drink a lot of water and keep the rhythm. This is a rhythm play. Once you get into that rhythm, it’s hard to break it. I try to stay focused, breathe and listen to everybody while I’m in character. I’m a big fan of people taking from this play what they want. Wilson cautions that we must pay attention to what is going on and to each other. History repeats itself when you don’t expect it.”
In contrast to the hotheaded, misguided, even dangerous King Hedley, Mister is cheerful and easygoing. He is played by KenYatta Rogers, a Helen Hayes nominee and connoisseur of August Wilson’s work. In addition to Arena Stage’s production of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” his credits include “Two Trains Running” (Round House Theatre), “Jitney” (Ford’s Theatre), “The Piano Lesson” and “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” He is a faculty member in Montgomery College’s Department of Speech, Dance and Theater.
“Even though they have different ways of seeing the world, it’s a real, true friendship between Mister and King Hedley based on shared values, family and loyalty,” he said. “Mister is an entrepreneur willing to sacrifice the real for the dream and to take the next step despite pitfalls along the way.
“This play presents an access point to the African-American culture. It’s so authentic that I utilize many of August Wilson’s passages and monologues in my classes. While I was doing graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, I visited the Hill area to better understand the impact of that location and its history upon the people who lived there.
“When I met Wilson’s daughter the other day at the premiere of this production, I thanked him through her for all he has given us. In this play, he shows us the ties that bind people together. These are the ties that help us struggle to provide for our families and stay true to them.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “King Hedley II” by August Wilson
WHERE: Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
WHEN: Through March 8; Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
INFO: Tickets $45-$90 at 202/488-3300 or arenastage.org.
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