August Wilson’s American Century Cycle Greene Space Recordings, 2013

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
August Wilson's American Century Cycle Greene Space Recordings
Creator
Jerome L. Greene Performance Space
Creator
Wilson, August
Collection Number
AWL.2022.01
Extent
10 items
Date
2013
Abstract
Readings of the ten American Century Cycle plays by August Wilson were recorded at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in 2013. This project was led by Dr. Indira Etwaroo, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and Stephen McKinley Henderson. This collection consists of ten audio recordings of those performances.
Language
English .
Author
William Daw.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Access Restrictions

Access to the records requires a visit to the Archives & Special Collections Reading Room in Hillman Library. Duplication and remote access is prohibited.

Acquisition Information

Licensed from the August Wilson Legacy LLC on March 28, 2022.

History

In 2013, performers were brought together to record staged readings of each of the ten plays in August Wilson's American Century Cycle. The performances and recordings took place at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in New York City with a live audience. According to the website of organization, "The Greene Space channels the collective genius of New York City to create forward-thinking live art, theatre and journalism that sparks change. (thegreenespace.org/about/ -- accessed Nov. 14, 2022)

The project was led by Dr. Indira Etwaroo, executive-producer, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, artistic director, and Stephen McKinley Henderson, associate director.

The staged readings included a mix of long-time "Wilsonian Warriors," who previously worked with Wilson, as well as those performing Wilson's work for the first time. The performances included scores by Bill Sims, Jr. and other composers who worked with Wilson. The recordings were produced by Arthur Yorinks.

The August Wilson Legacy LLC has chosen the University of Pittsburgh Library System as one of a select number of sites to share these recordings. The purpose of the recordings is to give library users an opportunity to listen to Wilson's plays which are not commercially available.

Preferred Citation

August Wilson's American Century Cycle Greene Space Recordings, 2013, AWL.2022.01, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of ten digital audio recordings. These are recordings of performances of the August Wilson American Century Cycle plays at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in 2013.

Copyright

These audio recordings are licensed from the August Wilson Legacy LLC. The University of Pittsburgh Library System does not own the intellectual, property, or distribution rights.

Conditions Governing Use

These recordings can only be accessed in the Hillman Library's Archives & Special Collections reading room.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by William Daw in 2022.

Subjects

    Personal Names

    • Wilson, August. Plays -- Performances

    Genres

    • Sound recordings
    • Dramatic readings
    • Plays (Performing arts compositions)

    Other Subjects

    • African Americans -- History -- 20th century -- Drama

Container List

Fences, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Fences was directed by Kenny Leon and runs for approximately 121 minutes.

The cast includes: Ruben Santiago-Hudson as TROY MAXSON, Eugene Lee as JIM BONO, Elain Graham as ROSE, Kevin Carroll as LYONS, Ray Anthony Thomas as GABRIEL, Jonathan Majors as CORY, and Eden Duncan-Smith as RAYNELL.

Gem of the Ocean, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Gem of the Ocean was directed by Kenny Leon and runs for approximately 124 minutes.

The cast includes: Eugene Lee as ELI, Chadwick Boseman as CITIZEN BARLOW, Phylicia Rashad as AUNT ESTER, Joniece Abbott-Pratt as BLACK MARY, Raynor Scheine as RUTHERFORD SELIG, Anthony Chisholm as SOLLY TWO KINGS, and Keith Randolph Smith as CAESAR.

Jitney, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Jitney was directed by Ruben Santiago Hudson and runs for approximately 113 minutes.

The cast includes: Amari Cheatom as YOUNGBLOOD, Stephen McKinley Henderson as TURNBO, Anthony Chisholm as FIELDING, Barry Shabaka Henley as DOUB, Harvy Blanks as SHEALY, Ray Anthony Thomas as PHILMORE, Roscoe Orman as BECKER, J. Bernard Calloway as BOOSTER, and Joaquina Kalukango as RENA.

Joe Turner's Come and Gone, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Joe Turner's Come and Gone was directed by Phylicia Rashad and runs for approximately 131 minutes.

The cast includes: Keith David as SETH HOLLY, S. Epatha Merkerson as BERTHA HOLLY, Roger Robinson as BYNUM, Raynor Scheine as RUTHERFURD SELIG, Jason Dirden as JEREMY FURLOW, John Douglas Thompson as HERALD LOOMIS, January LaVoy as MATTIE CAMPBELL, Nile Bullock as REUBEN MERCER, Taraji P. Henson as MOLLY CUNNINGHAM, Rosalyn Coleman as MARTHA PENTECOST, and Alexis Holt as ZONIA LOOMIS.

King Headley II, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of King Headley II was directed by Michele Shay and runs for approximately 153 minutes.

The cast includes: Russell Hornsby as KING HEDLEY II, Leslie Uggams as RUBY, Kevin Carroll as MISTER, Stephen McKinley Henderson as ELMORE, Marsha Stephanie Blake as TONYA, and Arthur French as STOOL PIGEON.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson and runs for approximately 134 minutes.

The cast includes: George Morfogen as STURDYVANT, Tuck Milligan as IRVIN, Charles Weldon as CUTLER, Clarke Peters as TOLEDO, Harvy Blanks as SLOW DRAG, Larry Gilliard Jr. as LEVEE, Ebony Jo-Ann as MA RAINEY, Joniece Abbott-Pratt as DUSSIE MAE, Lucas Caleb Rooney as POLICEMAN, and Jonathan Majors as SYLVESTER. Original music by Grammy-nominated composer Bill Sims Jr.

The Piano Lesson, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of The Piano Lesson was directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson and runs for approximately 150 minutes.

The cast includes: James A. Williams as DOAKER, Brandon Dirden as BOY WILLIE, Jason Dirden as LYMON, Roslyn Ruff as BERNIECE, Alexis Holt as MARETHA, Eric Lenox Abrams as AVERY, Chuck Cooper as WINING BOY, and Mandi Masden as GRACE.

Radio Golf, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Radio Golf was directed by Marion McClinton and runs for approximately 123 minutes.

The cast includes: Rocky Carroll as HARMOND WILKS, Anthony Chisholm as ELDER JOSEPH BARLOW, Eisa Davis as MAME WILKS, Eugene Lee as STERLING JOHNSON, and James A. Williams as ROOSEVELT HICKS.

Seven Guitars, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Seven Guitars was directed by Stephen McKinley Henderson and runs for approximately 138 minutes.

The cast includes: Brenda Pressley as LOUISE, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as CANEWELL, Stephen McKinley Henderson as RED CARTER, Aunjanue Ellis as VERA, Lou Ferguson as HEDLEY, Jerome Preston Bates as FLOYD BARTON, and Cassandra Freeman as RUBY.

Two Trains Running, 2013

Scope and Contents

This performance of Two Trains Running was directed by Michele Shay and runs for approximately 137 minutes.

The cast includes: Chuck Cooper as MEMPHIS, John Earl Jelks as WOLF, Roslyn Ruff as RISA, James A. Williams as HOLLOWAY, Owiso Odera as STERLING, Anthony Chisholm as HAMBONE, and Harvy Blanks as WEST.