The poetic and striking language August Wilson left to the world upon his death last fall will be at the center of an evening celebrating the playwright's life when the Huntington Theatre Company and Roxbury Community College (RCC) join to present "A Tribute to August Wilson" at RCC's Media Arts Center on Monday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m.  

Hosted by WCVB-TV producer and "CityLine" host Karen Holmes Ward, this event is free and open to the public. Roxbury Community College's Media Arts Center is located on campus at 1234 Columbus Avenue.

"A Tribute to August Wilson" will feature notable interpreters of Wilson's work over the years as well as dramatic selections from several of Wilson's plays. 

A total of seven of Wilson's plays have been produced in Boston, with several going on to great success in New York.  "Radio Golf," which runs Sept. 8- Oct. 15 at the Boston University Theatre, is the eighth Wilson play to be produced by the Huntington.

Wilson (above) died in October of 2005 after finishing "Radio Golf," the final work in his history-making ten-play cycle about African-American life in each decade of the 20th century.  In addition to  maintaining a long and special relationship with the Huntington Theatre, Wilson established many local friendships over the past two decades.  

Guests at the Tribute will include director Kenny Leon, who steered Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean" from the Huntington directly to Broadway in 2004. Currently directing the Huntington's production of "Radio Golf" on its way to New York, Leon will talk about his time working with Wilson on his final two plays. 

As well, Wilson's wife Constanza Romero, a frequent collaborator with Wilson as a costume designer, will recount her life with the playwright and talk about the legacy he left.

Finally, members of the Huntington's "Radio Golf" cast will join local professional actors to perform monologues from Wilson's historic 10-play cycle.

RSVPs are strongly encouraged, as seating is general admission and not guaranteed. The event will be ASL-interpreted. Call 617-266-7900 x1035 or email thehuntington@huntingtontheatre.org by Wed., Sept. 6.

-- OnStage Boston

09/02/06