Photo Flash: Charlie Robinson et al. in JITNEY at South Coast Repertory

August Wilson's Jitney, a play about a ragtag group of drivers of gypsy cabs-known as jitneys-closes out SCR's 2011-2012 season, with an all-star cast led by Charlie Robinson, who last wowed SCR audiences in another Wilson hit, Fences. Ron OJ Parson, who has previously directed Jitney at St. Louis Black Rep, directs the show, which runs on the Segerstrom Stage now through June 10.

See photos of Charlie Robinson and the cast of JITNEY on stage below!

"Jitney is a visceral play that succeeds on the strength of the ensemble," said SCR Artistic Director Marc Masterson. "I am particularly proud of the fine actors and designers who have assembled at SCR for this production under Ron's direction."

Jitney is one of a group of plays-known as the Pittsburgh Cycle-that Wilson wrote about the African-American experience in each decade of the 20th century. Set in 1977 Pittsburgh, Jitney depicts the end of an era, as urban renewal threatens to board up Becker's (played by Robinson) jitney station. But Becker has other things to worry about, as his son, Booster (Montae Russell) is about to be released from prison after 20 years. Turnbo (Ellis E. Williams, LA Ovation Award winner, Distant Fires), a longtime jitney driver-and gossip-spends his days between drives meddling in the lives of the fellow drivers, including Youngblood (Larry Bates, Topdog/Underdog) a Vietnam War veteran, his girlfriend, Rena (Kristy Johnson, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Court Theatre) and Shealy (Rolando Boyce, Topdog/Underdog, Madison Repertory Theatre), a numbers-taker who uses the jitney station as his base.

Rounding out the cast is David McKnight, (Desire Under the Elms, The Odyssey Theatre) who plays Fielding, a longtime driver with a few demons of his own to deal with, James A. Watson, Jr. as Doub, a level-headed Korean War veteran, and Philmore, a hotel doorman and jitney passenger, played by SCR regular Gregg Daniel.

Shaun Motley serves as scenic designer, Brian Lilenthal is lighting designer, Vincent Olivieri is sound designer, and Dana Woods is costumer designer.

Laurie Smits Staude is honorary producer. Media partners are PBS SoCal and OC Jewish Life.

Following its run on the Segerstrom Stage, Jitney will travel to The Pasadena Playhouse, where it runs from June 21 – July 15, closing out their 2011-2012 season.

For tickets and more information, visit www.scr.org.

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