Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Presents
August Wilson's
Two Trains Runing
Directed by

Mark Clayton Southers

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre will produce August Wilson's Two Trains Running, his 5th play (written) in his 10 play-cycle. Two Trains Running is based in the Historic Hill District during 1969. It explores the social and psychological manifestations of changing attitudes toward race from the perspective of urban blacks with Memphis Lee's Restaurant being the focal point.

The production stars:
Tony Award Nominee Anthony Chisholm (of Beloved, OZ, Rein Over Me). Straight from the national scene, Anthony has done four of the definitive New York Wilson productions, playing Wolf in "Two Trains," Fielding in "Jitney," Solly Two Kings in "Gem of the Ocean" and Old Joe in "Radio Golf." Pittsburgh will recall him best as the former tailor turned alcoholic in "Jitney" at the Public. In this "Two Trains," Chisholm will play Memphis, owner of the diner where the play is set.

Sala Udin (former City Councilman of District 6). Sala will play Holloway, the community philosopher -- the same role Udin played for the Public Theater in 1994.

Wali Jamal (of Piano Lesson, Pill Hill). Wali will play Wolf, the numbers runner

Donald Marshall (of Silence of the Lambs, Breakfast with Mugabe). Don will play West, the undertaker (no specific allusion, Wilson later claimed, to the Thomas L. West who was a leading undertaker on the Hill, 1932-68).

Along with Jonathan Berry (of Black Nativity, Pill Hill) who will play the central role of young angry Sterling, Jomo (of Peter Pan, Seven Guitars) who will play the mentally challenged Hambone, and introducing Sharnece Thomas who will play Risa, the waitress at the restaraunt.

Directed by Onyx Award Winner
Mark Clayton Southers (Piano Lesson, Pill Hill)

The production will open May 10, 2008 and run for three weeks only with shows on Thursday (8pm), Friday (8pm), Saturday (2pm and 8pm), Sunday (2pm and 7pm). Tickets are $27.50 and will be available starting April 2, 2008. Pittsburgh Playwrights is located Downtown Pittsburgh in the heart of the Cultural District. Check http://www.pghplaywrights.com/ for more information.

I will host a Sunday at the Theatre day for Mother's Day and Freinds on Sunday May 11, 2008 during the 7:00 showing of Two Trains Running. There will be a reception after the show to chat with the director, cast and crew of the production. For this event only Pittsburgh Playwrights will offer a special price of $17.50 (a savings of $10) if you reserve by April 19, 2008. The theatre is a small intimate setting and all seats are good seats. Come out and fellowship with friends while watching a great production.

If you are interested send an email to Eric Smith at a.eric.smith@gmail.com with the number of tickets requested (Payment is not due until Saturday May 3, 2008). Hurry tickets are limited and going fast.