Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company has announced three 2025 productions, including Two Trains Running, which will “be presented as part of a planned festival of August Wilson plays, taking place at Madison Arts Center, August Wilson House and the August Wilson Center,” according to the website.
The season opens in March with the award-winning musical Sanctified, written and directed by Javon Johnson, followed by Art of Wise, the fifth entry in Mark Clayton Southers‘ 19th-century collection of plays.
Johnson’s Sanctified has been performed across the United States and internationally. You may know Johnson as an actor, recently seen as a regular on Tyler Perry’s BET series The Oval, or for his stage work in Pittsburgh. He was mentored by August Wilson and worked with Kuntu Rep while attending graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, and today enjoys a multi-hyphenate career as a playwright, screenwriter, teacher, consultant and entrepreneur.
April brings Art of Wise, set in 1822, and described as using art to soothe through music, dance, song and “masterful” illustration.
The company’s annual summertime play by Wilson has for several years had a primary home in the backyard stage of the August Wilson House in the Lower Hill District. With the opening of Madison Arts Center, several planned performances and others due to inclement weather have taken place at Pittsburgh Playwrights’ home in the Upper Hill.
Pittsburgh Playwrights previously presented Two Trains Running in 2008, featuring Anthony Chisholm, and is nearing the finish line for its second journey around Wilson’s American Century Cycle.
PITTSBURGH PLAYWRIGHTS THEATRE’S 2025 SEASON
Sanctified I written and directed by Javon Johnson I Madison Arts Center I March 8 – 30, 2025
The musical celebrates the trials and triumphs of the African-American church, gospel choirs, today’s hip-hop and R&B, and how music ultimately brings unity to the church and community.” Sanctified is the winner of six 2009 Black Theatre Alliance Awards, including the August Wilson Award for Best Writing of a Play (Musical/Adaptation), Best Production (Musical or Revue), Best Direction (Musical or Revue), and Best Musical Director.
Art of Wise I by Mark Clayton Southers; directed by Monteze Freeland I April 11 – May 4, 2025 I Madison Arts Center
The drama is described as uncovering centuries of revisionist history through the paint strokes of two families, one owned by the other, yet sharing the same name. At the story’s core, two young women’s potential friendship takes a dramatic turn, with their remarkable artworks becoming a means for one family to attain freedom.
Two Trains Running I By August Wilson; directed by Mark Clayton Southers I August 9 – 30 2025 I Madison Arts Center
Set in the turbulent 1960s, the play finds protagonist Memphis Lee fighting for fair compensation when his only property, his restaurant, is targeted for demolition by the City of Pittsburgh in the name of urban renewal. Memphis is not alone in his fight for justice, fair wages and love, as his employees and regulars face changes in the Hill District we still struggle with today.
Visit https://www.pghplaywrights.org/ for subscriptions, individual tickets and details.
Categories: Company, Our Posts, Season Listings, Show Previews, Venue
Leave a Reply Cancel reply