The is opening its 2019-20 mainstage season with a production of 鈥淜ing Hedley II鈥 by August Wilson Sept. 19.
鈥淜ing Hedley II,鈥 the ninth play in August Wilson鈥檚 10-play cycle that examines African American life in the 20th Century, tells the story of an ex-con trying to rebuild his life in 1985.
Hedley, the main character, wants to support himself by selling refrigerators and to start a family in Pittsburgh. Set during the Reagan administration, the play critically questions whether trickle-down economics benefited urban African Americans.
Baron Kelly, the play鈥檚 director and head of graduate acting at UofL, sees the relevance of the play into today鈥檚 society.
鈥淎ll of the themes of inequality, zero opportunities and no sense of history or spirit left in the corners of Reagan鈥檚 America still reverberate today in communities across this country,鈥 said Kelly. 鈥淧overty and police killings of black people still blight African American communities across America with pervasive inequality and rage.鈥
鈥淜ing Hedley II鈥 is an appropriate start to Theatre Arts鈥 鈥淪eason of Black Plays,鈥 said Johnny Jones, director of the African American Theatre Program for the department.聽
Wilson鈥檚 1996 speech, 鈥淭he Ground on which I Stand,鈥 was one of the inspirations for the season’s theme. Wilson鈥檚 speech called for American theaters to tell more stories about the African American experience.
Theatre Arts faculty and staff selected six plays that engage race and blackness on various levels and they will produce each work along with activities to foster engagement,聽inclusivity and cultural consciousness throughout UofL and surrounding communities.聽
鈥淚 really want people to think about how these plays speak to America as a whole, not just one group of people 鈥 that really is the goal,鈥 said Jones.
The production will open Thurs., Sept. 19 and will continue its first week run through Sept. 21. The production will continue its second week run Sept. 26-29.聽Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m.
“King Hedley II” will run at the Playhouse, 1911 South Third Street.聽Purchase season tickets, which are $50, . Tickets for individual performances also are available or call 502-852-6814.
