Theater News

King Hedley II to Play at Arena Stage

August Wilson’s classic drama starts performances tonight.

Katie Pierpont
Washington, DC
August Wilson wrote King Hedley II, which opens today at Arena Stage.
August Wilson wrote King Hedley II, which begins performances today at Arena Stage.

King Hedley II, the ninth installment of August Wilson's play cycle that studies black America, begins performances tonight at Arena Stage. The play examines the life of an ex-convict who struggles against his past as he works to rebuild his life after seven years in prison.

The play is directed by Timothy Douglas and features Bowman Wright (The Mountaintop) as King, E. Faye Butler (Smokey Joe's Cafe) as Ruby, KenYatta Rogers (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) as Mister, Tony award nominee André de Shields (Broadway's The Full Monty) as Stool Pigeon, Jessica Frances Dukes (Bootycandy) as Tonya, and Michael Anthony Williams (Two Trains Running) as Elmore. All make their Arena Stage debut in the play.

The creative team includes Tony Cisek (set design), Ilona Somogyi (costume design), Allen Lee Hughes (lighting design), Ryan Rumery (sound design), and William E. Cruttenden III (stage management).

Performances will run through March 8.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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