Once again and with his final play, Radio Golf, August Wilson defines the term "wordsmith" and proves he is one of this country's greatest playwrights. This last of his brilliant, decade-by-decade explorations of the black experience in Pittsburgh is another powerful, moving experience. The five-member ensemble explore the ramifications of conscience in a contemporary economic and political situation, pitting the climber, James A. Williams, against the economically stable Harry Lennix, who is running for mayor. Both give strong performances, as does Tonya Pinkins as the wife. But the real excitement for the audience are the performances of Anthony Chisholm and John Earl Jelks as men whose lives have been at the lower levels of society and who seem to express Wilson's deepest concerns.
The characters in the play are all real people, and somehow even their simplest conversations grip you as the enthralling struggle unfolds. David Gallo's huge, amazing set of a building that is crumbling, Susan Hilferty's realistic costumes and Donald Holder's lighting all lift this first-class production to the highest level. Director Kenny Leon keeps the action moving and the dialogue true.
All in all, it's a splendid production of a wonderful play. August Wilson: a man who completed his ambitious life's task splendidly.
