HOUSTON, April 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre continues its 35th Anniversary Season celebration with King Hedley II, written by August Wilson and directed by Eileen J. Morris, Opening Night and Media Reception, Thursday, May 10, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
"My commitment to August Wilson is fueled by having known him professionally, and understanding the relevance of keeping the legacy of his work alive," says Morris. "I'm honored to work with artists whom each share in my commitment and have all been recognized for their work in his productions."
The Ensemble Theatre celebrates its completion of the Pittsburgh ten-play cycle with the upcoming presentation of King Hedley II. Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris will become the only female director in the world to direct eight plays of Wilson's entire cycle. Set Designer James V. Thomas has designed nine August Wilson's shows and had his work on Seven Guitars chosen for an exhibit in The Architecture Center Houston.
King Hedley II is about a man who wants a good life, a life that always seems just out of reach. Rather than combat a society that is keeping him down, he retreats to nature. He tries to start from scratch by growing a garden of his own from a few precious seeds. Just as a garden needs fertile soil to grow, social conditions need to be supportive in order for mankind to flourish. The Pittsburgh Hill District in 1985 was like working the soil with no rain or sun in sight. Unemployment and violent crime were on the rise. The hope is that Hedley, like his newly planted flowers, might have a new life.
King Hedley II follows the characters created by August Wilson in Seven Guitars, in which a group of friends give account of incidents they believe lead to the murder of a popular musician. King Hedley II is a story of hope and forgiveness. Audiences will be guided on a journey that identifies with the common man who bears both physical and emotional scars, yet still dreams.
Featured cast members include: Los Angeles based actor Ben Cain, makes is return to The Ensemble Theatre where he was last seen in August Wilson's Radio Golf; Rachel Hemphill Dickson, U of H Downtown adjunct theatre professor who last performed in The Ballad of Emmett Till and Cinderella; Wayne DeHart most recently seen in the barbershop comedy, Cuttin Up, and winner of the 2011 Ensemble Theatre George Hawkins Award; Broderick "Brod J" Jones whose most recent Ensemble Theatre performances include Cuttin Up, The Ballad of Emmett Till, and Lotto: Experience the Dream; Bebe Wilson, Ensemble Theatre veteran actress last seen in Cinderella; and Wilbert Wilson, who had appearances in the HBO series Treme', is making his return to Houston from Slidell, Louisiana.
Previews: May 5, 6, 9 Show Runs: May 10 – June 3, 2012
Performance Days and Times: Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.; Fridays: 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays: 3:00 p.m.
****Opening Night and Media Reception is Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. ****
Tickets Available Online: www.EnsembleHouston.com For Information Call: 713-520-0055
The Ensemble Theatre's 2011-2012 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and Texas Commission on the Arts. United Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. This production is generously sponsored by Chevron and CenterPoint Energy.
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Thirty-five years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins' car to being one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to a myriad of audiences.