The Next August Wilson Chapter!
KING HEDLEY II
by Pulitzer Prize Winner
August Wilson

EXTENDED thru FEBRUARY 22

Click on the review for more:

"A stunning production, powerful, masterful…American Stage's 'King Hedley II' succeeds on a grand scale. There is a passionate sense of resurrection when Kim Sullivan as Stool Pigeon he gives all glory to God after the shocking, tragic finale."
–St. Petersburg Times

“Stunning, brilliant, so often superb that we remain transfixed…beautifully written…kudos to American Stage for this latest installment in Wilson's 10-play cycle. Wilson is one of America's greatest playwrights, and his unique perspective shine. There's enough material in this eloquent epic to fuel six or seven full-length plays. The characters are so richly imagined that any one of them could be the hero/ine of a powerful drama. Sensitively directed by Bob Devin Jones. See this show, I'm glad that I saw it; and I'm looking forward to the next.”
–Creative Loafing

"American Stage's 'King Hedley' is gritty, grimy and glorious. The play runs around three hours with one intermission, but at no point does it seem to languish. A Shakespearean tragedy populated by a relatively small, creative cast, American Stage Theatre's production of 'King Hedley II' illustrates Wilson's gift for transforming the trials and tribulations of 20th century African-Americans into poetry."
–Tampa Bay Newspaper

“Powerful cast, pain, and poverty reign. Bob Devin Jones directs a fine cast of actors in Wilson's harsh, complicated tapestry…Poignant…Frank Chavez is rendered beautifully in his rough and gritty set design."
–Tampa Tribune

Click here to hear Creative Loafing's Podcast with King Hedley II

American Stage Theatre Company continues its historic 30th anniversary season with its next chapter in the August Wilson "Century Cycle", King Hedley II, extended thru Feb 22 by popular demand!

King Hedley II will be familiar in part to people who saw American Stage's critical hit production of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean last season. The death of Aunt Ester, a gamble to peddle refrigerators, a garden of seeds and a final act of retribution are the threads that make up the tapestry of Wilson's 1980s installment in the author's renowned cycle of plays.

King Hedley II is recently out of jail and trying to sell stolen refrigerators in the poor side of Pittsburg to raise enough money to purchase a video store. As he and his new family begin to rise above their limited opportunities to attain their Ronald Reagan-era "American Dream", a ghost from the past re-enters Hedley's life that forces him to confront his own pattern of petty violence and self-destruction.

Directed by Bob Devin Jones (Gem of the Ocean), King Hedley II stars Sharon E. Scott (Gem of the Ocean), Postell Pringle (The Bomb-itty of Errors), Kim Sullivan (Gem of the Ocean), Brandii (The Vagina Monologues), Bechir Sylvain and Alan Bomar Jones (Gem of the Ocean).

"American Stage is the only theatre of its size embarking on Wilson's Century Cycle," said Todd Olson, producing artistic director. "We look forward to bringing you all ten of Wilson's incredibly powerful plays over the next several years."

For tickets, please call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY (7529) or