Written by Eugene Lee
Directed by Ron OJ Parson
WT Resident Director Ron OJ Parson, who directed past WT hits The Caretaker and The Old Settler, staged a critically acclaimed and deeply impactful production of this riveting play for Chicago's Onyx Theatre Ensemble nearly two decades ago. He now revisits this powerful tale of friendship and heroism that remains intensely relevant in today's America.
WARNING: Peanuts will be consumed onstage during this production.
ADVISORY: This production contains scenes of a potentially disturbing nature, including:
Patrons who experience anxiety or symptoms of PTSD are advised to speak with the House Manager before the performance.
Evenings
Tuesdays – Saturdays 7:30pm
Sundays 6pm
Matinees
Saturdays 3pm
Sundays 2pm
select Wednesdays at 3pm
Tyla Abercrumbie* |
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Willie B. |
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Luce Metrius |
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Kelvin Roston, Jr.* |
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Namir Smallwood* |
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A.C. Smith* (Boochie Reed) |
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Antoine Pierre Whitfield (Buckshot) |
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Alfred H. Wilson* (Columbus Frye) |
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Jalen Gilbert (understudy Delmus Green) |
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Kenneth Johnson (understudy Adolph, Columbus Frye) |
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Tiffany Oglesby (understudy Charlesetta Simpkins) |
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André Teamer (understudy XL Dancer, Boochie Reed) |
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Byron Glenn Willis (understudy Roy Moore, Buckshot) |
Eugene Lee (Playwright)
Ron OJ Parson, SDC (Director)
Jack Magaw, USA (Scenic Designer)
Christine Pascual, USA (Costume Designer)
Kathy A. Perkins, USA (Lighting Designer)
Joshua Horvath, USA (Sound Designer)
Reginald Edmund (Dramaturg)
Matt Hawkins (Fight Director)
Scott Dickens (Properties Master)
Rebecca Pechter* (Stage Manager)
Henri Watkins (Assistant Director)
Mallory Jane Bass (Assistant Stage Manager)
*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
“A riveting piece of work… acted with blistering intensity.”
Chicago Tribune
“Highly Recommended! Animated by the kind of vividly defined characters and layered storytelling fans of August Wilson will appreciate.”
Chicago Sun-Times
"Loved this play! Brilliant acting, compelling story. Immensely moving."
WT Audience Member
“Exceptional! Director Ron OJ Parson has assembled a uniformly sensational cast.”
Chicago Sun-Times
"I loved the use of language. It was a slice of life. I felt like I was in that cafe!"
WT Audience Member
“A uniquely intimate group portrait deeply grounded in specificity.”
New City
“[The] seamless ensemble . . . earns high marks!”
Chicagoland Theatre Reviews
ASL-Interpreted performance: Friday, December 2, 2016 at 7:30pm
Open-Captioned performance: Friday, November 4, 2016 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 4, 2016 After the Matinee Performance
Are you curious about the world that surrounds your favorite plays? Sunday Spotlight offers access to the finest speakers, scholars and cultural leaders. This one-hour event will feature Harvey Young, Professor of Theatre and African-American Studies at Northwestern University, discussing the historical context of East Texas Hot Links and the history of black theatre in America. Reservations are requested to secure your seat. RSVP online at writerstheatre.org/events or by calling the Box Office at 847-242-6000.
Monday, December 19, 2016 at 6:30pm
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of our productions? The Making of… series offers insight into a different aspect of creating theatre. Director Ron OJ Parson will talk about his history with East Texas Hot Links and his desire to produce it again, this time at WT. Reservations are requested to secure your seat. RSVP online at writerstheatre.org/events or by calling the Box Office at 847-242-6000.
Join us after every Tuesday and Thursday evening performance and after Wednesday matinee performances (excluding previews and extensions) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding previews and extensions) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
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