Geva Theatre Presents TWO TRAINS RUNNING, 4/3-4/25

When August Wilson died in 2005, America lost one of its most influential playwrights. Wilson's legacy - a cycle of ten plays encompassing the 20th Century, continues to captivate audiences around the world for its poeticism and beauty. GeVa Theatre Center, as part of its five-year commitment to presenting all ten plays in "August Wilson's American Century," will produce the seventh play of the cycle, Two Trains Running, opening March 30 and running through April 25.

1968. Change is in the air. Gossiping and gambling - the colorful regulars at Memphis Lee's diner keep the place buzzing. Urban renewal tears down the neighborhood around them and the restaurant itself is slated for "urban renewal" as Memphis tries to negotiate a fair price for it from the city. Will he get a fair deal at a time when the whole country is asking if such a thing even exists?

Wilson's drama opened at Yale Repertory Theatre in 1990 and on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 1992. Two Trains Running went on to be nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play and the Audelco Award for Dramatic Production of the Year.

The cast features Ronald Connor (Wolf), Javon Johnson (Sterling), Allen Edge (West), Patrese McClain (Risa), David Shakes (Hambone), A.C. Smith (Memphis Lee) and AlFrEd Wilson (Holloway).

Two Trains Running is directed by Ron OJ Parson. Originally from Buffalo and now based in Chicago, Mr. Parsons, is one of the country's leading directors of August Wilson's plays. The design team includes Shaun Motley (scenic design) who designed last year's stunning production of Fences, Myrna Colley Lee (costume design), Kathy Perkins (lighting design) and Ian Hildreth (sound design).

As an accompanying event, Geva will present a reading of Jitney, the eighth play in August Wilson's cycle, in the Mainstage on Monday, April 19 at 7:30pm. Tickets for this event are free but must be reserved in advance through the Box Office: (585) 232-Geva.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Previews: March 30, 31, April 1 @ 7:30pm
April 2 @ 8pm
April 3 @ 2pm

Opening: Saturday, April 3 @ 8pm

Performances: Sunday, April 4 @ 2pm and 7pm
Tuesday, April 6 @ 6pm
Wednesday, April 7 @ 7:30pm
Thursday, April 8 @ 7:30pm
Friday, April 9 @ 8pm
Saturday, April 10 @ 4pm and 8:30pm
Sunday, April 11 @ 2pm and 7pm
Tuesday, April 13 @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, April 14 @ 7:30pm
Thursday, April 15 @ 7:30pm
Friday, April 16 @ 8pm
Saturday, April 17 @ 4pm and 8:30pm
Sunday, April 18 @ 2pm (Audio-described) and 7pm
MONDAY, APRIL 19 - PERFORMANCE OF JITNEY @ 7:30PM
Tuesday, April 20 @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, April 21 @ 2pm and 7:30pm
Thursday, April 22 @ 7:30pm (Sign Interpreted)
Friday, April 23 @ 8pm
Saturday, April 24 @ 4pm and 8:30pm
Sunday, April 25 @ 2pm (Sunday Salon) and 7pm (closing performance)

TICKET PRICES: $22 - $59.

RESERVATIONS: (585) 232 GEVA (4382), Website: www.gevatheatre.org

LOCATION: GeVa Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd, Rochester, NY 14607

GeVa Theatre CENTER

GeVa Theatre Center is Rochester's leading professional theatre and the most attended regional theatre in New York State. Founded in 1972, Geva attracts over 170,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students. The 552-seat Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage offers a wide variety of shows, from musicals to American and world classics.

The 180-seat Ron & Donna Fielding Nextstage is home to Geva's own series of cutting-edge drama, comedy and musical theatre; Geva Comedy Improv; Geva's New Play Reading Series and the Hornet's Nest - an innovative play-reading series facilitating community-wide discussion on controversial topics. The Nextstage also hosts visiting companies of both local and international renown.

GeVa Theatre Center offers a wide variety of educational, outreach and literary programs, nurturing audiences and artists alike. For the past fourteen years the organization has been led by Artistic Director Mark Cuddy.