RADIO GOLF - Unbelievable Shape for the 2nd Preview (Spoilers)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 8:51pm

They could open tomorrow and still get great reviews.

The last in August Wilson's 10-play cycle takes place in 1997, in the office of the Bedford Hills Redevelopment project. RADIO GOLF chronicles the rise and fall of media-darling mayoral candidate Harmond Wilks (Harry Lennix) in the span of, maybe, a week's time. Set to develop an apartment complex complete with a Whole Foods, Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, and a golf course in the Hill District, Harmond and his business partner, Roosevelt Hicks (James Williams), must deal with the supposed inhabitant of Aunt Esther's house, Elder Joseph Barlow (Anthony Chisholm). It's up to Harmond to decide what his idea of success actually is: staying true to his African-American roots or selling out to the white man, like Roosevelt has already done. On one side of the spectrum is Rooselvelt and Harmond's wife, Mame (Tonya Pinkins), and on the other is Old Joe and Sterling Johnson (John Earl Jelks), the construction worker.

While not his best play, Wilson has constructed a very thought-provoking dramedy (though it plays more like a comedy than a drama) which is especially relevent in this, the "Barack Obama" age. With his signature rhythm, great one-liners, deadpan deliveries, and gasp-inducing revelations, the audience, a mixture of young and old black and white people, ate it up.

Loads of thought-provoking discussions, especially regarding the aspect of African-Americans who "wanna be white," and do so by "kissing the ass of the white man." To convey this theme, Wilson geniously uses the idea of "Cowboys and Indians."

The cast is uniformly outstanding. Not one bad word can be said of them, except for the fact that they tend to talk over the audience's raucus laughter. In one of the few cases of my theater-going life, I cannot pick out a favorite and least favorite actor, they're all so extremely wonderful. They are all worthy of award recognition.

David Gallo's set is great and very appropriate, from the centerpiece: the run-down office, to the 2 burnt-out stores on either side. Ditto for Susan Hilferty's costumes and Don Holder's lighting.

The one problem is in Kenny Leon's blocking, which has set pieces (chairs, a table, and a sofa) obscuring the views of the actors and vice versa. Because the stage is so high and raked, the best view is the rear orchestra and above. I made a slight mistake moving from the rear mezz. to the front row and the view of a crucial prop was completely obscured.

The cast was very receptive following the show (except Pinkins, who didn't come out), eagerly listening to the crowd's compliments. Lennix seemed the most enthused about listening to everyone's thoughts.

It's very sad to think that August Wilson isn't around to see his last show produced. As the saying goes, he's there in the hearts, minds, and spirits of everyone involved. He even gets to see the show: rather than having the logo as the Playbill cover, Wilson's portrait and the dates of his life and death grace it, instead.



Updated On: 4/21/07 at 08:51 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 9:59pm

PS: Had a brief chat with producer Gordon Davidson following the show. He was in shock and awe about how much the audience enjoyed the piece.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:02pm

I like the idea of the playbills. That's cool. Glad you liked it Yankee! After seeing my university do "The Piano Lesson" I have loved Wilson, even though I'm white and can't do his plays! Argh!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:14pm

There are three white characters in his MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM (the owner of the record studio, her manager and a policeman), and the character Rutherford Selig who appears in both GEM OF THE OCEAN and JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE is also white.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:16pm

Ha, I sorta just meant that as a joke, but thanks Margo. I really think he's an amazing writer. I've never been more captivated by a play than Piano Lesson.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:17pm

Thanks for reminding me, Margo.

If you haven't seen it, read Gem of the Ocean prior to viewing Radio Golf. It would help explain a lot of the underlying themes of the latter.


As an aside, I'll be happy to explain the significance of the title. Just PM me, as I don't wish to reveal the spoilers behind it. Updated On: 4/21/07 at 11:17 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:23pm

Wonderful to hear that the show is in great shape so early. I'm going Monday night.

[April Saul]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:52pm

Well, I guess it's good that I saw this in Princeton a month ago, where sitting in the front row was great! It SHOULD be in good shape, though, as it did have a run there at the McCarter Theater. As much as I liked these actors and LOVE Wilson's plays, I think you hit the nail on the head when you said this is not of his best. It's pretty static, the ending is more predictable than in many of his works, and I just didn't feel it packed the punch of other plays like Gem of the Ocean, or any of the three that were at Signature recently. Tonya was excellent as always, but the role of the wife is pretty small here. I'm not saying it's not worth seeing, but I'll be surprised if it wins any Tonys....

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:28am

Saw it tonight. Very receptive audience. And I agree with Yankee...not August Wilson's best, but still thought provoking and mostly entertaining.

Rentboy-I know you didn't ask, but if you're curious, the show curtain was a canvas with a black-and-white painting, depiting a run-down urban (pittsburg) neighborhood. The building were realistic, but the people were very Basquiat-inspired, they even included Basquiat's crown symbol. Very interesting.
Updated On: 4/22/07 at 12:28 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:35am

Love Wilson, and cant wait to see this show on May 3rd-

Was speaking with the gentleman at the merch table tnite at "Coram Boy"- He was at "Radio Golf" last night, and also raved about it-

Btw, were they selling the book at the theatre? - originally, it was scheduled to be released the 1st week of April. Checked B&N today in the city, and they didnt have it yet.

TIA !

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:39am

Ooooh, Testing, I wish I had looked closer at the merchandise table. I saw a few books there, but the only one I noticed was King Headly II. I'd say there's a good chance they're selling Radio Golf there too.


ETA: I just want to add that even though in my previous post I said it wasn't Wilson's best, I liked it and would recommend it. Updated On: 4/22/07 at 12:39 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:44am

Thanks, Court !! Just checked Amazon--- they are now taking
pre-orders for a June 1st release.

Last one I need to complete the 10- Just finshed "Jitney" and "Fences"- Incredible !

[adrian55]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:45am

We are currently not selling the Radio Golf script. Is it in print? Anyway, we are selling King Hedley II, Gem of the Ocean, and a book called Conversations with August Wilson (a lot of interesting interveiws done with Mr. Wilson.) Also the usual t-shirts, hats, and buttons.

On a side note: I loved the show! The acting, the sets (wow!), the lighting, everything. I'm also glad I saw/read Gem Of The Ocean first. Not crucial, but it helps make the show more meaningful. Updated On: 4/22/07 at 12:45 AM

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:53am

Thanks for the info! I look forward to its release. I'd like to own all ten too!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:59am

Its a great collection !!! Pretty tough to find at the "normal" bookstores, however... (B & N , Borders, etc)

Most of them I had to order thru Amazon-

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 1:08am

how was muh gurl, Tonya!?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 1:15am

I just saw the show tonight, and I couldn't disagree more. I thought it was absolutely horrific. Not only was the acting terrible (Harry Lennix easily being the worst of the bunch), but the play itself was just plain awful. I found it more offensive than effective. Also, the whole think felt incredibly long. Act I alone was an hour and 20 minutes, but it felt like 3 hours. I am curious to see what the reviews will be like.
-BJH

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 1:31am

Out of curiosity bjh, what did you find offensive? I agree that Act one was long. I only noticed because of the number of scenes in it. I wasn't ever bored.

Q-or-Tboo, Tonya was okay. Her part wasn't large...I think she'll get more comfortable in her role after a few more previews.
Updated On: 4/22/07 at 01:31 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 1:45am

I thought Tonya Pinkins was the leading actress in this play. Will her role be considered featured then?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 2:00am

Tonya will definitey be considered featured even though her name appears above the title. The producers will petition for her to be featured. As far as what I found offensive...I guess it was mostly just the way that August Wilson pitted black against black, but then made the side of the argument that you were supposed to hate comparable to white people. If this were a an older period piece, I would understand. But this is set in 1997, and the comparisons made in the dialogue were very abrupt and inapropriate I felt. I am not being very eloquent, but I guess what I am trying to say is that August Wilson went one step too far and made it feel like "white bashing" to me. Sorry if what I am saying is unclear.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 2:00am

Double Post Updated On: 4/22/07 at 02:00 AM

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 2:15am

Maybe because I spend a lot of time in the company of black people (I am the only white person at my work) this issue seems relevent and not at all dated or offensive. Even though the play takes place in 1997, the idea of two different kinds of black people is still a hot issue today. Think of the movement by a significant group of black people away from people like Bill Cosby and Oprah. Both are seen by this group to be "anti-black" because some of the messages they broacast about "what's wrong with black people." I found the play interesting specifically because this issue is very much a hot button issue with many in the black community. And since Wilson's plays were supposed to portray the African-American experience at each decade of the 20th century I found it particulary interesting that his chose to "discuss" this issue.


Now, whether Harmond is right or Roosevelt is right is not for me to say. (Although, Wilson's opinion is pretty clear.) What I like is that the issue is examined at all.


Sorry if any of that was incoherent...it's late.
Updated On: 4/22/07 at 02:15 AM

[jbdc]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 2:20am

do you think the show will last into August?

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 2:24am

I think it's too early to tell.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 2:28am

Oh, I agree that the issue is still relevant today...but it was more that I felt like the way the issue was discussed particularly in this play was over the top and a little much. I felt like it was very abrasive, and without specific reason in context of the play.