By Michael Buzzelli
“There are always two trains running. There is life and there is death. Each of us rides with them.”
A diner owner in the Hill District in 1969, whose nickname and restaurant name are the same, Memphis (Art Terry), struggles with selling his business during a tumultuous time in the Civil Rights Movement in August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running.”
Memphis barks orders at Risa (Amira Jackson), and Risa responds with action and never complains. She works quietly as Memphis spends his time arguing with customers.
If you’re wondering if Risa is his cook, waitress, or janitorial staff, the answer is “All of the Above.”
The diner has a group of regulars, Wolf (Boykin Anthony), who runs numbers; Holloway (Wali Jamal, a last minute cast replacement); who is enjoying his retirement; Hambone (Loaf Thomas), an mentally-deficient indigent with pork products on his mind; and West (Sheldon Ingram), a stoic and stingy funeral director.
A newcomer, Sterling (Manny Walker), breezes in and upsets the natural order of things.
August Wilson’s dialogue is both poetic and pedestrian (in a good way). He inflates everyday language and twists it into beautiful balloon animals.
The play contains Easter Eggs in the Wilsonian Universe (Aunt Esther from “Gem of the Ocean” is frequently mentioned).
“Two Trains Running” is not the strongest in Wilson’s oeuvre, but it has some powerful moments.
Trigger warning: The N word is prevalent, said over 100 times in the course of the play.
Director Mark Clayton Southers cast the play with panache. He found excellent actors for each role.
Side note: There were some hiccups in the August 14th show, but they can be easily rectified.
Terry’s Memphis is a small man trying to act big. He, like Hambone, is singularly obsessed. Terry plays him with blustery bravado. The actor makes us care about this overconfident, self-important man.
Jackson portrays Risa with quiet strength. It’s a layered performance that Jackson handles deftly.
Walker’s Sterling is equally mesmerizing and mischievous. He exudes charm even when threatening others.
Jamal, plays Holloway with charisma and verve (there is no discernible moment when you realize that Jamal was a last-minute replacement). Jamal, who has been in all ten plays of Wilson’s American Century Cycle, is marvelous.
Southers also designed the diner set. It’s got the right amount of ’60s kitsch without being mired in nostalgia. The peeling yellow vinyl chairs added a rustic and realistic charm. The set, and Cheryl El-Walker’s hair, makeup, and costuming, brought the audience right back to 60s Pittsburgh.
Sadly, America hasn’t moved the Civil Rights pendulum as far as it needs to go. It seems to be swinging back in the wrong direction under the current, despotic administration.
August Wilson’s plays should be taught in high schools, as they bring drama to the history curriculum. This production was an excellent starting point for a more extended discussion on race in America.
-MB
“Two Trains Running” will play from August 9 to the 30th in the Carter Woodson Redwood Theater, inside the Madison Arts Center, 3401 Milwaukee Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. If you would like more information, please click here.
