(RED BANK, NJ) -- Since 2012, award-winning actor and director Brandon J. Dirden has made an artistic home at Two River Theater, appearing on the theater’s Red Bank stage in five productions and making his directorial debut in 2015 with August Wilson’s Seven Guitars—a production that NJ Monthly raved “poignantly captures the joys and sorrows that are the signatures of Wilson’s work.”
This season, Two River continues its commitment to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle with Dirden’s production of Radio Golf, the sixth play in the Cycle produced at the theater. Performances will begin in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater on Saturday, February 29 and continue through Sunday, March 22.
August Wilson (April 27, 1945-October 2, 2005) authored Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of the descendants of Africans in North America, decade-by-decade, over the course of the 20th century. His plays have been produced on Broadway, at regional theaters across the country, and all over the world.
Set in 1997, Radio Golf is the 10th and final play in the American Century Cycle. Real-estate developer Harmond Wilks is determined to become the first black mayor of Pittsburgh—and to revitalize the Hill District by breaking ground on his real estate firm’s most lucrative redevelopment project. Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods are ready to move in. One of the buildings that Harmond’s company is set to destroy is 1839 Wylie Avenue—the ancestral home of Aunt Ester, who died in 1985, during the events of King Hedley II (performed at Two River last season). Two men with close ties to Aunt Ester confront Harmond to convince him of the house’s spiritual significance to the community—forcing Harmond, and the Hill District itself, into a battle between the past and the future.
Radio Golf will feature Wayne DeHart (Elder Joseph Barlow), Amber Iman (Mame Wilks), Nathan James (Sterling Johnson), Carl Hendrick Louis (Harmond Wilks), and Robbie Williams (Roosevelt Hicks).
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.
Brandon J. Dirden has appeared at Two River in A Raisin in the Sun; August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Jitney; the world premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine; and Topdog/Underdog, in which he starred opposite his brother Jason Dirden under the direction of the play’s author, Suzan-Lori Parks. Best known for portraying Agent Dennis Aderholt in the acclaimed FX series The Americans, his Broadway credits include Robert Schenkkan’s All the Way and August Wilson’s Jitney. In 2012 he was awarded an Obie and a Theatre World Award for his portrayal of Boy Willie in the Signature Theatre Company revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson.
Ticket prices for Radio Golf range from $40 to $70, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. 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. Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Avenue in Red Bank, New Jersey.
INSIDE TWO RIVER
Inside Two River is a series of arts and humanities events that are curated for each of the theater’s productions. Multiple events take place each month and most are free. To RSVP for any event at Two River Theater, visit tworivertheater.org or call 732.345.1400.
WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM: Interview with Brandon J. Dirden, February 19 at 7:00pm - Director Brandon J. Dirden will be interviewed before a live audience by WBGO Jazz 88.3FM News Director and Host Doug Doyle. The interview will be recorded for broadcast.
Book Club: August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, February 27 at 6:00pm - In collaboration with the book clubs of the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center and the Red Bank Public Library, patrons and community members are invited to discuss the first play in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle, Gem of the Ocean. Set in 1904, Gem of the Ocean centers on the character of Aunt Ester as she guides the first generations of African Americans tasked with defining themselves outside the horrors of slavery.
TEDxAsburyPark Salon, March 12 from 6:30-7:30pm in partnership with TEDxAsburyPark - TEDxAsburyPark Salons feature curated talks by TEDx speakers and Two River Theater artists and staff. This evening will feature conversations on belonging, race, and gentrification. Cost: $25 per ticket, includes talks, light fare from Sickles Market and drinks. Free for Two River Theater donors and subscribers and TEDxAsburyPark conference ticket holders. Patrons have the option to purchase tickets to the 8pm performance of Radio Golf for an additional $25.
AUDIENCE EXTRAS & ACCESSBILITY
New this year, Two River is offering childcare during select performances, called Play Dates, for each show in the season. Parents or guardians can enjoy a matinee at the theater, while children ages 6-11 play theater games, make crafts and explore themes inspired by the production with Two River teaching artists. The cost is $10 per child and the price of the show tickets. The Play Date for Radio Golf is Saturday, March 7 at 3:00pm.
Post-play discussions with the cast and a member of Two River’s Artistic staff will take place on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm; Sunday, March 15 at 3pm; and Wednesday, March 18 at 1:00pm.
An audio-described performance is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 at 1:00pm. The performance on Saturday, March 21 at 3pm will be open captioned. Tickets are available at a discounted rate of $25 for patrons using these services. To reserve wheelchair-accessible seating or tickets to a performance listed above, patrons should call 732.345.1400 or e-mail [email protected].
Audiences will learn about August Wilson and Radio Golf in Two River’s Before Play lecture series, which takes place 45 minutes prior to every performance, and lobby display.
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