The public is invited on a first come, first served basis to attend the rededication ceremony of the August Wilson Theatre on Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. (Note: this is a new date from the one previously announced). Doors will open at 7:45 p.m. The first half of the event will take place in the theatre with a ceremony featuring Charles S. Dutton, Jujamcyn Creative Director Jack Viertel, Lillias White and members of the original cast of Seven Guitars. Immediately following the program will be the unveiling of a new marquee outside the theatre on 52nd Street.
This occasion will mark the first time that a Broadway theatre has been named after an African American. Mr. Wilson passed away on Sunday, October 2 from complications due to liver cancer at the age of 60.Mr. Wilson was a unique and uncompromising voice in the dramaturgical landscape since his first play, Jitney, was produced in Pittsburgh, PA, at the Allegheny Repertory Theatre in 1982. He is also the author of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, and his most recent Broadway outing, Gem of the Ocean. These works explore the heritage and experience of African-Americans, decade-by-decade, over the course of the twentieth century. His plays have been produced at regional theatres across the country and all over the world, as well as on Broadway. In Spring 2003, Mr. Wilson made his professional stage debut in his one-man show, How I Learned What I Learned.
Jujamcyn Theatres will produce a Broadway production of Radio Golf, the tenth and final play in Wilson's cycle, next season.
