Casting Complete for August Wilson's 20th Century at Kennedy Center

A dream team of African-American actors has been assembled for the Kennedy Center's forthcoming August Wilson's 20th Century series, in which all 10 of Wilson's so-called Pittsburgh cycle of plays will be performed in the order of the decade in which they are set. The series, with Kenny Leon as artistic director, will run from March 4 to April 6 at the Center's Terrace Theater.

Wilson, the most awarded African-American playwright in history, won two Pulitzer Prizes, a Tony Award, two Drama Desk Awards, three American Theatre Critics Awards, seven New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and numerous nominations before succumbing to liver cancer in October 2005 at age 60. The 10 plays in August Wilson's 20th Century are Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II and Radio Golf.

The cast and directors for the plays are as follows:

Gem of the Ocean 1900s will be directed by Kenny Leon, with James A. Williams Eli, John Earl Jelks Citizen Barlow, Michele Shay Aunt Ester, Raynor Scheine Rutherford Selig Anthony Chisholm Solly Two Kings and Ruben Santiago-Hudson Caesar.

Joe Turner's Come and Gone 1910s will be directed by Todd Kreidler, with Eugene Lee Seth Holly, LaTanya Richardson Jackson Bertha Holly, Keith David Bynum Walker, Raynor Scheine Rutherford Selig, Montae Russell Jeremy Furlow, Russell Hornsby Herald Loomis, Dominique Ross Zonia Loomis, Cherise Boothe Mattie Campbell, Terrance Thomas Reuben Mercer, Michole Briana White Molly Cunningham and Rosalyn Coleman Martha Pentecost.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom 1920s will be directed by Lou Bellamy, with Raynor Scheine Sturdyvant, Jerry Whiddon Irvin, Harry Lennix Cutler, Roger Robinson Toledo, James A. Williams Slow Drag, Anthony Mackie Levee, Ebony Jo-Ann Ma Rainey, Jeff Allin Policeman, Rosalyn Coleman Dussie Mae and Eric Berryman Sylvester.

The Piano Lesson 1930s will be directed by Kenny Leon, with Bill Nunn Doaker, Ruben Santiago-Hudson Boy Willie, Jason Dirden Lymon, Heather Alicia Simms Berniece, Alexandra Brooke Perrin Maretha, Afemo Omilami Avery, Stephen McKinley Henderson Wining Boy and Cherise Boothe Grace.

Seven Guitars 1940s will be directed by: Derrick Sanders, with LaTanya Richardson Jackson Louise, Russell Hornsby Canewell, Harry Lennix Red Carter, Vanessa Bell Calloway Vera, Afemo Omilami Hedley, Keith David Floyd Barton and Crystal Fox Ruby.

Fences 1950s will be directed by Kenny Leon, with Bill Nunn Jim Bono, Tamara Tunie Rose, Montae Russell Lyons, Hassan El-Amin Gabriel, Anthony Mackie Cory and Autumn Malhotra Raynell. The central role of Troy Maxon has not yet been cast.

Two Trains Running 1960s will be directed by Israel Hicks, with Glynn Turman Memphis, Russell Hornsby Wolf, Michole Briana White Risa, Stephen McKinley Henderson Holloway, John Earl Jelks Sterling, Hassan El-Amin Hambone and Eugene Lee West.

Jitney 1970s will be directed by Gordon Davidson, withAnthony Mackie Youngblood, John Beasley Turnbo, Anthony Chisholm Fielding, Eugene Lee Doub, Afemo Omilami Shealy, Montae Russell Philmore, Paul Butler Becker, Roslyn Ruff Rena and Hassan El-Amin Booster.

King Hedley II 1980s will be directed by Derrick Sanders, with Russell Hornsby King Hedley II, Lynda Gravátt Ruby, John Earl Jelks Mister, Stephen McKinley Henderson Elmore, Heather Alicia Simms Tonya and James A. Williams Stool Pigeon.

Radio Golf 1990s will be directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, with Harry Lennix Harmond Wilks, Michole Briana White Mame Wilks, James A. Williams Roosevelt Hicks, John Earl Jelks Sterling Johnson and Anthony Chisholm Elder Joseph Barlow.