The ambitious intentions of the playwright August Wilson, (Apr. 1945 – Oct. 2005), consisted of a play for every decade of the 20th century that would chronicle some part of the black experience in America. Through the use of his great ear for dialogue, Wilson was able to give us some insight into the daily life – both struggles and triumphs – of an assortment of universal characters that his audience could easily recognize.
An ambitious undertaking, but, his huge vision was realized and, btw, it resulted in 2 Pulitzers and a Tony award. He accomplished a lot doing what he loved to do and perhaps more importantly, August Wilson left a powerful body of work that will be read and performed for years to come. Dreaming big has rewards of all kinds.
All 10 of August Wilson’s plays are collected in hard cover with a nice presentation box. Each has an introduction by either an actor, director, or writer familiar with his work.
In 2005, August Wilson completed the ten-play cycle:
- 1900s – Gem of the Ocean (2003)
- 1910s – Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (1984)
- 1920s – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (1982)
- 1930s – The Piano Lesson (1986) – Pulitzer Prize
- 1940s – Seven Guitars (1995)
- 1950s – Fences (1985) – Pulitzer Prize
- 1960s – Two Trains Running (1990)
- 1970s – Jitney (1982)
- 1980s – King Hedley II (2001)
- 1990s – Radio Golf (2005)