Black Theatre Troupe Presents SEVEN GUITARS By August Wilson

August Wilson's Century Cycle of plays shines a light on the lives of African-Americans in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. Wilson's fictional denizens of the Hill lived their lives of hope and tragedy in the face of racism in 10 plays spanning 10 decades. SEVEN GUITARS is a Wilson's window into the 1940s. Phoenix's Black Theatre Troupe proudly presents, SEVEN GUITARS, by August Wilson, one of his Century Cycle plays directed by David Hemphill, Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2017

SEVEN GUITARS chronicles the life of comeback musician Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton. Unexpected fame and a hit record followed swiftly on the heels of Schoolboy's release from a workhouse in the Spring of 1948. Wilson gives the audience an unabashed glimpse into the world of the cast as they struggle to face the realities of poverty and life. The play is thick with the lyrical quality of everyday talk, and at the same time reveals a story of universal significance.

Known both as the Pittsburgh Cycle and the Century Cycle, SEVEN GUITARS is set in the Hill District of the 1940s. Each of Wilson's 10 plays in the series depicts one decade of the 20th century and that decade's specific turmoil for Pittsburgh's black community. SEVEN GUITARS premiered in January 1995 at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, eventually opening on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre in March 1996. The play won New York Drama Critics' Circle award for Best Play in 1996 and received several notable nominations including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Drama Desk Award for Best Play and the Tony Award for Best Play.

With the performance of Seven Guitars The Black Theatre Troupe becomes one of the few companies in the country to have produced the complete ten play cycle of August Wilson's decade by decade exploration of the black experience in America. Seven Guitars, the 5th in the cycle, is set in 1948 as friends gather to mourn for Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton a blues guitarist and singer, who died just as his career was on the verge of taking off. August Wilson's epic vision power and poetic sense lifts their stories to strange and compelling heights ending in a stunning conclusion.

Starring: Ríco Burton, Calvin J. Worthen, Rapheal Hamilton, Alexis Green, Mike Traylor, Cornelius Williams, Dzifa Kwawu.

IF YOU GO:

Run dates: Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2017

Fri, Oct 27th, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Sat, Oct 28th, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Sun, Oct 29th, 2017 at 3:00 pm

Thu, Nov 2nd, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Fri, Nov 3rd, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Sat, Nov 4th, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Sat, Nov 4th, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Sun, Nov 5th, 2017 at 3:00 pm

Fri, Nov 10th, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Sat, Nov 11th, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Sat, Nov 11th, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Sun, Nov 12th, 2017 at 3:00 pm

Tickets - $38
- box office at 602-258-8129
- purchase online at: http://new-wp.blacktheatretroupe.org/box-office/

Venue:

The Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center - downtown Phoenix
1333 E. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85034

Photo credit: Laura Durant

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