"It was easy for the world to ignore August Wilson. He was the guy in the corner of a bar or cafe, with an open notebook and an open ear.” This is a quote from a review by Mike Hughes of a PBS documentary about the life of August Wilson, the 20th Century’s comprehensive chronicler of African-American life.
Director Vanessa Sanders brings to Riverwalk “Jitney,” the third of his ten decade-by-decade "Pittsburgh Cycle” plays she has staged for us. The ensemble cast of eight men and one woman capture the authentic-sounding interplay between the drivers of a low cost car service, or “jitney,” facing the threat of urban renewal in 1977.
All of the characters deliver distinct personalities, most impressively Bruce Wade as the founder/manager of this under-the-radar business, Guy Thomas as the trouble-making comic relief, and Chance Boyd as a lovable drunk. Lekeathon Wilson, Guy Stockard, Marcus Turner, Ralph Sims and Ken Nelson are all believable, along with Janell Hall as a long-suffering girlfriend.
The cast is ably backed-up by producer Bernie Lucas, Stage manager Claudia Allen, property mistress Evon Anderson, costumer Marina White-villanueva, sound designer Ann Glenn Carlson, light designer Nick Eaton, music designer OraLee Cunningham, with set design and construction of a realistic bare-bones office by Bob Nees and Marlon Torres.
Jitney continues Thursday through Sunday through October 28. Bargain Thursdays are only $8/$10 admission.
http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
Mark Zussman (sitting in for Jane)