April 27, 1945-Oct. 2, 2005
"People talk about an artist having an eye. With playwrights, it's the ear that counts. Mr. Wilson had a peerless pair. His writing comes closer to the sweep of Shakespearean music than any of his contemporaries. Edward Albee creates intense and elegant chamber pieces; David Mamet, machine-gun jazz; Sam Shepard, rhapsodic plainsong; Harold Pinter, monastic chants; and Tom Stoppard, jaunty concertos. But these days only Mr. Wilson has written plays that sound like grand opera -- and it is not contradiction to say that is is opera rooted in the blues." -- The New York Times, Oct. 4, 2005
I only had the privilege of seeing two of Wilson's plays ... "Seven Guitars" in New York, and "The Piano Lesson" here at the Shimberg. I expect I'll have plenty more chances since his reputation will continue to grow. Meanwhile, the next time I'm in New York I'll go stand outside the former Virginia Theater, which will be renamed the August Wilson Theater, and offer up my thanks and a quick prayer.
-Michael K.
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I had the pleasure of seeing Wilson's latest but not last play (I think they may produce his last one at some point.)on Broadway this past year. It was "Gem of the Ocean" with Phylicia Rashad. What an experience! I crave that kind of mind bender that when one leaves the theater one feels absolutely satisfied yet still challenged. I hope TBPAC would consider enlisting this type of drama featuring quality, name actors sometime in the future...I remember seeing "Vagina Monologues" in Ferguson with Loretta Swit. It was a pretty packed audience.
Thanks for your comments and your ear....
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