04 – Ro Boddie (Roosevelt Hicks) and JaBen Early (Harmond Wilks) in August Wilson’s Radio Golf at Round House Theatre. Photo by Margot Schulman Photography

Ro Boddie (Roosevelt Hicks) and JaBen Early (Harmond Wilks) in August Wilson’s Radio Golf at Round House Theatre. (Photo by Margot Schulman Photography)

August Wilson's Radio Golf at Round House Theatre

August Wilson’s Radio Golf, the final play of his American Century Cycle, opened, June 12, 2023, at Round House Theatre, and is directed by Reginald L. Douglas. Please see below for complete program details and…

August Wilson’s Radio Golf, the final play of his American Century Cycle, opened, June 12, 2023, at Round House Theatre, and is directed by Reginald L. Douglas. Please see below for complete program details and ticket information.

Following productions of Two Trains Running (2014) and Gem of the Ocean (2018), Round House returns to Pittsburgh’s Hill District, where Harmond Wilks is redeveloping the struggling neighborhood with business partner (and golf enthusiast) Roosevelt Hicks while running to become the city’s first Black mayor. With a shiny new high-rise planned and Whole Foods set to move in, one house stands in the way: 1839 Wylie Avenue, home of Wilson’s renowned Aunt Ester. As Roosevelt aims to win the game that has been set against him all his life, Harmond reaches a crossroads as history and progress collide. “Surprising, suspenseful, and crowd-rousing” (New York Times), Radio Golf concludes this stunning cycle of plays portraying 20th-century Black life by one of America’s most influential playwrights.

Radio Golf has demanded conversation on relevant issues since its premiere in 2005: police violence, gentrification, the intersection of class and race, and questions of division and solidarity within the Black community. “This is a play that has gained in relevance with time, and I’m thrilled to bring it back to DC audiences with such a brilliant team of artists,” says Artistic Director Ryan Rilette. “We can’t wait to return to August Wilson with the phenomenal Reg Douglas at the helm.”

Director Reginald L. Douglas is looking forward to magnifying the joyful moments throughout Radio Golf. “This is a play about friendship, men dreaming in a world that told them never to dream, and to me, that’s a joyful reason to come to the theatre,” says Douglas. “This story inspires us to look at where we’ve been, and where we could go together.”

The cast includes Ro Boddie (The Tempest at Round House Theatre and Socrates at Public Theater), JaBen Early (Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2, and 3) at Round House Theatre and Harriet on HBO Max), Kevin Mambo (The Tempest at Round House Theatre and Rustin [upcoming] on Netflix), Craig Wallace (Round House Theatre’s Homebound webseries and King Lear at Shakespeare Theatre Company), and Renee Elizabeth Wilson (Nollywood Dreams at Round House Theatre and Intimate Apparel at Theatre J). Understudies for this production include Brock Brown, Eli El, and Gislaine Hoyah.

The cast is joined by a brilliant creative team that includes Scenic Designer Meghan Raham, Costume Designer Moyenda Kulemeka, Lighting Designer Harold F. Burgess II, Sound Designer Matthew M. Nielson, Properties Coordinator Chelsea Dean, Casting Director Sarah Cooney, Dramaturg Shana Laski, and Resident Stage Manager Che Wernsman.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 240.644.1100 or ordering online at RoundHouseTheatre.org. Round House Theatre is located at 4545 East-West Highway, one block from Wisconsin Avenue and the Bethesda station on Metro’s Red Line.