Signature Cancels Wilson Celebration at Request of Playwright's Estate

The Signature Theatre Company has canceled its planned celebration of the plays of August Wilson at the request of the August Wilson Estate. The celebration was set to be a part of the company's 15th anniversary season, which will take place in 2006. The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright died on October 2 at the age of 60.

In a letter sent to the company, the Estate expressed its appreciation of Signature's efforts to celebrate Wilson's body of work, but said that it couldn't continue to grant rights at this time.

"We are very disappointed not to have the opportunity to honor our friend and playwright-in-residence August Wilson but, of course, we respect the wishes of Mr. Wilson's estate," Signature's Founding Artistic Director James Houghton said in a statement. "This is a very difficult time for his family and for all of us who cared so much for August and revere his extraordinary body of work."

The celebration was to include Two Trains Running as well as the New York premiere of How I Learned What I Learned, Wilson's one-man show about his life. It also included a 10 play in 10 days Wilson marathon and a world premiere comedy about coffin makers on strike.

The off-Broadway theater company will announce revised programming shortly.