Photos by Mark Turek
Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Trinity Repertory Company takes us to Pittsburgh, PA with their current show, “Radio Golf” which is the last of August Wilson’s 10 play cycle of African-American life in the 20th Century. Set in 1997, the play starts with Harmond Wilks announcing his run for Mayor of Pittsburgh. Wilks is also the driving force behind the redevelopment business, Bedford Hills Redevelopment, which plans to use Federal money to clean up the “blight” in this neighborhood. His business partner is Roosevelt Hicks, a banker. Hicks listens to a white businessman who influences him to invest in a radio station and wants him to gain control of the BHR. Hicks is also addicted to golfing, and runs golf camps for children. Wilks wife, Mame is extremely interested in becoming the First Lady of Pittsburgh and supports him heartily in his run for the Mayor while organizing his PR and various appearances.
Two other characters also figure into this story with their views of the “progress” that BHR has in mind for the neighborhood. Sterling Jackson is a house painter who wants to stop the apartment/shopping complex from coming to fruition because of the 285 year old house that is standing in the way of this progress. The owner of the house is Elder Joseph Barlow, who refuses to have it torn down because he was never notified of owing back taxes, but later finds out about a glitch where Wilks never obtained the property legally. He goes to inspect it and talk it over with the older man. Wilks comes up with the solution of building the complex around the house to keep the integrity of the neighborhood. Hicks balks at the plan by complaining about giving up all the needed parking spaces for the complex as well as ranting and raving that Wilks has lost his mind. Will Wilks work things out between his partner and the elderly man? Will his dreams of becoming the mayor come true for him and his wife? And how does the pushy Sterling Jackson figure into the outcome? Director Jude Sandy answers all these questions while he creates a show that is accessible to all people who contemplate what they will do to gain success. You have to examine what price you would pay to realize your goals while at the same time keeping your morals intact. An example of what is currently happening today in 2020, should be what is the price of success? He found five multi-talented performers to play these larger than life characters and creates a show brimming with energy and emotional power that enthralls you from start to finish. It shows that racism should not be tolerated by anyone at all – even by greedy members of your own race.
This show is dedicated to the memory of Johnny Lee Davenport who passed away on February 3. Leading this cast as Wilks is Joe Wilson Jr. who commands the stage in this role. His struggles with pursing his political as well as his business goals while remaining a moral person is refreshing to see. Joe creates an aura of a person who wants to do the right thing for himself and others. He makes the character grow into being more thoughtful after revealing his twin brother Raymond’s death in the Vietnam War and how he never forgave his father for not attending the funeral. Harmond did what his father expected of him but now thinks what is right is right no matter what the consequences his actions may be. Wilks also finds out some pertinent information from the elderly Old Joe that sets him on the path of righteousness. Tonia Jackson wonderfully plays Mame, his strong willed wife, who supports her husband’s political career and his redevelopment business. She doesn’t like being in the unsavory part of Pittsburgh again. Tonia and Joe have a dynamite argument scene in the second act that is riveting as they both dissolve into tears at the emotional impact of it.
The comic foil in this show is Omar Robinson as Hicks. He has funny lines about not wanting any N word to steal his hubcaps, buying an interest in a radio station, arguing with his boss at the bank and the importance of his golf game. He may come across as funny but he also displays the self-centered side of the character later on. As Barlow, Ricardo Pitts-Wiley brings much laughter to his early scenes with Wilks when he asks for a lawyer. He then tears your heart out as the elderly man who is invested in keeping the family home intact. His character is feisty and argumentative but you finally understand why he’s this way. His curmudgeonly character brings out the importance of doing the right thing no matter how much it might hurt.
The motto of the show must go on holds true for this show. Understudy JaMario Stills stepped into the role of Sterling Johnson two days before opening night and plays the pushy painter Jackson excellently. (Dereks Thomas who was slated to play the role injured himself.) The character’s annoying behavior becomes crass and crude at times as he reminds Wilks how he punched him in the mouth as kids. He wants a job painting and says that he’s in his own union. JaMario wins many laughs at first with this wise guy character but at the end of Act 1 demands that Hicks and Wilks better not throw Old Joe out of his house. He delivers a marvelous performance running the gamut of emotions the role calls for. JaMario went to Juilliard before coming to study directing at Trinity Brown Consortium. Bravo! So for a powerful play of striving to do what is right in a greedy, opportunistic world, be sure to catch the comic yet poignant way August Wilson deals with this situation in “Radio Golf”, a play that resonates perfectly in this cold unfeeling current day society. Run do not walk to the box office before it is sold out.
RADIO GOLF (30 January to 1 March)
Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI
1(401)351-4242 or www.trinityrep.com
