Virginia Stage Company Presents RADIO GOLF in Conjunction with Town Hall, 4/3

Virginia Stage Company (VSC) brings its 32nd Season to a close with August Wilson's Radio Golf, the final work in Wilson's 10-play cycle exploring African-American life in 20th Century America. To enhance the impact of the production and to offer the community a forum for discussion of key topics, VSC has planned a series of free public events. Radio Golf runs March 29 - April 17, 2011 at downtown Norfolk's Wells Theatre.

Radio Golf ‘s Ivy League-educated businessman Harmond Wilks could become Pittsburgh's first African-American mayor. But will secrets from the past derail him from his country-club future?

Radio Golf deals with many of the issues facing contemporary African-American society regarding
the desire to honor the past while preparing for the next generation. VSC's production will be
directed by Newport News native Derrick Sanders, August Wilson protégé and Assistant Director
of Radio Golf's original Broadway Production, as well as the founder Chicago's critically acclaimed
Congo Square Theatre Company.

Dress Rehearsal is open to the public on Sunday, March 27 at 7:00 pm with a donation of $10.
Preview performances are at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 29, at 8:00 pm on Wednesday &
Thursday, March 30 & 31 with all seats just $20. Opening Night will be Friday, April 1 at 8 pm.
Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 800-982-2787 or at any Ticketmaster
outlet, at the VSC box office, or online at www.vastage.com. Group discounts are available by
calling 757-627-6988 ext. 358. Regular performances run Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, Wed./Thur./Fri.
at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm through April 17. Tickets
range from $10 to $45.

Radio Golf examines the topic of redevelopment and African-American urban communities - raising issues that greatly resonate within many communities in Norfolk today. On Sunday, April 3 at 4:30 pm, following the 2 pm performance of Radio Golf, VSC will host a Town Hall on Urban Renewal in Norfolk. Specifically focusing on the communities of Broad Creek and the historic Church Street Corridor, speakers from past and current planning commissions including Kathryn Shelton of Norfolk Economic Development Authority, representatives of Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, former Norfolk City Council member Daun Hester, former Norfolk City Council member and Vice Mayor Rev. Joseph N. Green, Jr. and other prominent business leaders will discuss redevelopment and how these transitions affected the communities involved. Radio Golf Director Derrick Sanders will also offer remarks. Moderated by WHRO's Barbara Hamm Lee, the event is free and the public is invited. For more information contact Lauren Sexton, VSC Director of Artistic Research and Community Outreach, at lsexton@vastage.com.

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, VSC will co-present, along with The College of William & Mary's
Department of Theatre, Speech and Dance, a scholarly symposium Reshaping Community
Through Art and Policy: A VSC and WMT Symposium on August Wilson's Radio Golf. This
symposium will focus on the theme of "reshaping communities" as presented in the play, as well
as how those themes relate to the communities of Hampton Roads today. It will take place at The
College of William and Mary's Cohen Career Center from 10 am-3:30 pm. The keynote address
will be given by renowned August Wilson scholar Dr. Sandra Shannon (Howard University). For
more and to RSVP, contact Artisia Green-Dallas, Asst. Professor of Theatre, William and Mary, at
avgreen@wm.edu. This event is open to the public but seating is limited.

August Wilson is the author of Jitney, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner's Come and

Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, Gem of the Ocean
and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of African-Americans over the

course of the twentieth century. Wilson has been awarded two Pulitzer Prizes, a Tony Award,
Britain's Olivier Award, seven NY Drama Critics Circle Awards, and an Emmy nomination and is

 

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