A Review

Connecting To Your Past

By R. J. Donovan

With "Radio Golf," Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson completed his ambitious ten-play cycle examining the African-American experience through each decade of the 20th century. Sadly, it would also be his final play, as Wilson lost his battle with liver cancer shortly after completing the piece.

The production being presented by The Huntington Theatre Company as the opener for its 25th Anniversary Season is vivid and funny and passionate. The Huntington has produced seven other Wilson creations, so many theatregoers lining up for "Radio Golf" may happily recognize descendants of characters from previous pieces.

"Radio Golf" is about neither golf nor a radio. Rather, it's focuses on two business partners planning a major redevelopment project in Pittsburgh's blighted Hill District.

Harmond Wilks (Hassan El-Amin, at right) leads his family's real estate business. Plus, he's got his eye on becoming Mayor, assisted by his connected, mover-shaker wife (Michole Briana White). His business partner, Roosevelt Hicks (James A. Williams, above, left ), is Vice President of the local bank. Hicks has his eye on any number of investment opportunities, all designed to further his bank account as well as his standing in the community.

The fly in the ointment comes when the two discover that a single piece of property stands in the way of their mega-project. The house in question was among many that were condemned. Wilks purchased it in good faith, only to find that, through no fault of his own, he acquired it illegally.

When the rightful owner, Elder Joseph Barlow (Anthony Chisholm, at left), shows up with a claim to the property, there's no negotiating with him. He doesn't want to be paid off. He wants his house -- which stands smack in the middle of what is destined to become a multi-million dollar high-rise housing and retail complex.

At first, Wilks cares only about his project being threatened. It doesn't matter to him that the city sold him the house without the proper procedure being followed. He wants his future the way he wants it.

However, his plans for both the complex and his political career soon careen into a crashing U-turn when it becomes evident that he's actually related to Barlow.

In lesser hands, the story might have amounted to something of far less substance, but coming from the pen of August Wilson, it's extraordinary. The language is lyrical and the thought process of the characters is genuine. Touching on family, greed, ambition and identity, Wilson deftly blends humor with drama to create a very real and deeply satisfying story.

The action is in the hands of director Kenny Leon, who does a skillful job guiding the story to life. The experience is greatly enhanced by the highly detailed set designed by David Gallo. All the action takes place in the development office, which is surrounded by the crumbling abandonment the company hopes to revitalize.

The five person cast is strong throughout. In addition to the winning performances from El-Amin, Williams, Chisholm and White, Eugene Lee (at left) is Sterling Lee, a straight forward local contractor who offers his services to Wilks. Lee delivers a wonderfully insightful and witty performance, all the more impressive when you learn that he stepped in at the last minute to replace the ailing actor originally cast in the role.

"Radio Golf" is a fine climax to the play cycle, as well as a fine cap to Wilson's body of work. As the Huntington was so much a part of his career, Michael Masso (Managing Director) and Nicholas Martin (Artistic Director) paid special tribute to him on Opening Night by screening a brief video of Wilson discussing his life and work.

And so "Radio Golf" is touched by a certain behind-the-scenes sadness, while glowing with the brilliance of its storytelling

"Radio Golf" is at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston, through October 15. For information, call 617-266-0800 or log onto www.huntingtontheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston

 

HOME • NEWS • LINKS • ARCHIVE • CONTACT