By Lonnie the Theater Lady
Harmond Wilks (Roosevelt Watts, Jr.) has hope for the future. He’s planning a redevelopment project in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and running for city mayor. Everything is going smoothly until he learns that there’s an old man painting a property on 1839 Wylie Avenue, a home that he has scheduled for demolition. Suddenly, Harmond’s “Blue Skies” are turning gray in August Wilson’s “Radio Golf,”
Enter Elder Joseph Barlow (Mike Traylor), son of Citizen Barlow and Black Mary (from “Gem of the Ocean”). He claims to be the owner of the property that Wilks and his business partner, Roosevelt Hicks (Rich Dickson), are trying to tear down.
Harmond faces an ethical quandary when he discovers that it may have been obtained illegally.
Meanwhile, Harmond’s wife Mame (alternatively played by Dominique Briggs and Karla C. Payne, with some last minute pinch hitting by Delana Flowers) doesn’t like the historic Hill District. She wants to move on up and spending time on Bedford Avenue makes her feel like she’s going backwards.
Sterling Johnson (Maurice Redwood/Sam Lothard) is a young man with some anger management issues, whose heart is in the right place.
If Sterling’s name sounds familiar, you may remember him from “Two Trains Running,” another one of August Wilson’s interconnected plays in his ten-play cycle.
Throughout the show, Harmond grapples with the past and the future as he tries to hold on to the present.
Watts, Jr. exudes the perfect dose of charm and charisma as befits the successful Wilks. His depiction of the conflict Wilks struggles with conveys his palpable torment.
Dickson’s Hicks radiates joy over his financial successes. Swag is his middle name as he confidently, energetically struts on stage.
Traylor is a scene stealer! His Barlow somehow manages to turn the stubborn, dotty old man into a lovable old coot. He has some of the best laugh lines and delivers them all with perfect timing.
Redwood’s strong stage presence captivates as Johnson. He convincingly delivers the complex Johnson with his extreme contradictory mood swings. He alternates from ominously volatile, to passionately defending the underdog, to deftly delivering some comedic lines.
Briggs radiates an authentically human Mame. She demonstrates a strength and ambition contrasted with the softness and warmth of her love for Harmond. The chemistry between Briggs and Watts, Jr. is touchingly real.
The very specific details of the noteworthy, well-done costumes accurately reflect the personalities and social standing of the characters. (Kudos to Cheryl El Walker, designer)
Compliments to director, Montae Russell, for ensuring that all of the cast members understand their complex characters and are able to embody them with insightful nuance.
This riveting, stunning, intense and sometimes humorous production tells a timely story. Do not miss this one. Exceptional!
LTL
“Radio Golf” runs until September 14 at the August Wilson House, 1727 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For more information, click here.
