Wednesday, January 16, 2008

HEDLEY TAKES FINAL BOW

Orignally Posted Thursday, April 26, 2007

On Sunday the Signature Theatre Company 2006-2007 August Wilson season came to a close and it was a bittersweet moment for all of us who had the privilege of working on these three extraordinary productions. As has been the case for most of the run of KING HEDLEY II, people started lining up quite early for the matinee, hoping for cancellations or returns to the sold out 2pm show. Derrick Sanders, the director, came to see the show off, taking an afternoon off from his current Broadway gig as Assistant Director of August Wilson's RADIO GOLF. In fact, several members of the cast of Radio Golf also showed their support by attending HEDLEY on their day off. It seems very fitting that immediately following our season, another production of Mr. Wilson's should open on Broadway!

Also in the audience were other VIP's, including many of our August Wilson Ambassadors, donors, and Paula Vogel (a past Signature Theatre Company Playwright-in-Residence.) Stephen McKinley Henderson closed the performance off with a speech about the August Wilson season stating how, "as long as there are actors and theatres in the world," August Wilson lives on.

Afterwards, the cast, crew and staff gathered at one of Signature's favorite watering holes, The Irish Rogue, for a final farewell toast to the season. What's everyone up to next? seemed to be the question of the night. Leading man Russell Hornsby is off to a well deserved Italian vacation before returning to his TV show, Lincoln Heights. Stephen McKinley Henderson takes a quick trip home to Buffalo before returning this coming Friday, April 27 to tape an American Theatre Wing seminar and take part in a special August Wilson event being hosted by Time Warner the following Monday. He also just completed the pilot for FOX's "New Amsterdam," directed by acclaimed director Lasse Hallstrom. With any luck, he'll be back filming more episodes very soon!

As for the staff, we'll continue to wrap up the details of this past season as well as begin some full-force planning for our upcoming season. Details will be announced very soon, so check our website for updates.

No comments: