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Two River Theater Presents August Wilson's "Radio Golf"

originally published: 10/12/2021

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Audiences will now have a second chance to see Two River Theater’s critically acclaimed “riveting and soulful” [The Star Ledger] production of August Wilson’s Radio Golf directed by Obie Award winner Brandon J. Dirden.

Back in March 2020, the production was forced to shut down early in its run because of the pandemic. Now with health and safety protocols in place, the cast and creative team are looking forward to inviting audiences back to the theater. "I think what our return to the Rechnitz stage with August Wilson’s Radio Golf best represents is the resilience and necessity of live theater. Only because of the incredible and unfailing support of our audiences over the last year and half are we able to return to the story that we began last March. I cannot wait for our community to sit together, once again, and hear how August Wilson’s words ring even more true in our ears and hearts today than they did 18 months ago. Forever ONWARD!”, says Dirden. 

Set in 1997, Radio Golf is the final play of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle, a series of ten plays documenting the African American experience throughout the twentieth century. The production marks Two River’s sixth play from the Cycle and will run from November 6 – 21, 2021 in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater. Much of the show’s original cast will return, including: Wayne DeHart (Elder Joseph Barlow), Nathan James (Sterling Johnson), Carl Hendrick Louis (Harmond Wilks) and Robbie Williams (Roosevelt Hicks). Toccarra Cash will join the cast in the role of Mame Wilks.

Real-estate developer Harmond Wilks is determined to become the first Black mayor of Pittsburgh and to revitalize the Hill District. Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods are ready to move in. But one particular house on the development site, at 1839 Wylie Avenue, must be torn down, a casualty of urban blight. And that house belonged to Wilson’s legendary Aunt Ester—forcing Harmond, and the Hill District itself, into a battle between the past and the future.

The creative team includes scenic designer Ed Haynes, costume designer Karen Perry, lighting designer Driscoll Otto, sound designer Kay Richardson, and wig designer Erin Hicks. The casting is by Heidi Griffiths & Kate Murray, and the production stage manager is Megan Smith. 

 

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Single tickets are now on sale at tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400. Prices range from $40 to $70, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. Season Subscriptions are also available and, for a limited time, patrons can buy a full season 4-show package for $150 — a savings of up to 50%!

A limited number of $25 tickets are available for every performance; $25 tickets may be partial view. Tickets for patrons under 30 are $25 and include the best available seats at every performance. 

Starting with Radio Golf performances, all audience members over the age of 12 are required to show proof of vaccination. People with exemptions must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 36 hours of the performance time or a negative antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance time. No over-the-counter, at-home test results will be accepted.

All guests, regardless of age or vaccination status, are required to wear masks while inside the theater building. Exceptions are only made for patrons eating and/or drinking in a designated area of the lobby, when concessions are being sold, within one hour prior to the showtime.

Two River Theater will follow any forthcoming state mandates related to Covid-19. All requirements are subject to change, allowing us to best prioritize the safety of our audience members, artists, staff and community.

Two River Theater’s 2021/22 Season Sponsor is Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center.

Two River Theater is supported in part by public support through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Private support includes Bank of America, Mary Owen Borden Foundation, Denholtz Properties, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Helen Clay Frick Foundation, The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, Horizon Foundation of New Jersey, Investors Foundation, Jewish Communal Fund, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Manasquan Bank Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William T. Morris Foundation, OceanFirst Foundation, PNC Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey,  Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, Zager Fuchs, PC, and many other generous foundations, corporations and individuals.

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Two River Theater produces a theatrical season that includes American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we also offer 40+ events that reflect our diverse community of Red Bank, New Jersey. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater. The theater’s recently opened Center for New Work, Education and Design is a three-story facility that includes two rehearsal studios, artist labs, classrooms, expanded shops and centrally located offices. Two River Theater has commissioned and premiered original projects including Be More Chill by Tony Award nominee Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz (the theater’s first Broadway production) and Hurricane Diane by Playwright-in-Residence Madeleine George (which won an Obie Award for its Off-Broadway run). In June 2019, Two River was nationally recognized by USA TODAY as one of “10 great places to see a play” across the U.S. Two River serves thousands of students and community members through arts and humanities programs at the theater, in schools and throughout its region. Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst.

Photos by T Charles Erickson