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Two Trains Running
By August Wilson
Directed by Jonathan Wilson
Produced by Pegasus Players
At Truman College
1145 W. Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-878-9761, tickets $17 - $25
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission
Through October 30, 2005
“There are always and only two trains running.
There is life and there is death.
Each of us rides them both.
To live life with dignity,
To celebrate and accept responsibility
For your presence in the world
Is all that can be asked of anyone.”
___ August Wilson
Two Trains Running races back to the troubled 60’s
With a realistic set design by Jack Magaw, August Wilson’s most political play, Two Trains Running captures the struggle of African-Americans to cope with the rise of Black Power and the Civil Rights Movement. Set in Pittsburgh in Memphis Lee’s diner in 1969, Wilson’s neighborhood folks see the turbulence happening in their world. From the funeral of a local preacher to the dreams and hopes of a young recent ex-con to the troubles of the restaurant owner with city hall to the enterprising numbers runner, the regulars at Memphis’ diner offer a look at the attitudes of the urban Black community at the brink of social unrest. August Wilson’s 1991 play has compelling characters with some trapped into the past and some with dreams of social equality and material abundance.
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As in most Wilson plays, we learn much about the old black myths and Southern Black folklore. Form Holloway (Daryl Satcher) the wise elder with an anecdote about every situation that inevitably leads him to advise everyone to go see the 322 year old Aunt Ester, the neighborhood shaman in order to change their luck to the angry, bitter self-made restaurant owner, Memphis (in an emotionally wrenching turn from Alfred H. Wilson), Two Trains Running’s characters are complete, interesting and empathetic. We feel Memphis’ pain as he tells the story of how the white men killed his mule when he found water on a parcel of land driving him from Alabama years earlier.
We laugh at the sharp self-deprecating humor and the naive hopes and dreams of the young ex-con, Sterling (played with charisma and charm by Taj McCord) whose aspirations is to drive a Cadillac, have a woman and live the high life. He wants riches without a “plan” or even a job. We meet Risa (played powerfully by Charlette Speigner) who states her independence from men by scaring her legs with numerous cuts and Hambone (Foster Williams, Jr) bursts in shouting his rage and deman ding “his ham.”
The belief in luck is manifest in the reference to the numbers each play daily. The menu board displays the daily three digits winning that each ties their dreams to. West (Samuel L. Brooks) is the tough funeral director made wealthy by all the killing in the neighborhood and Andre Teamer is Wolf, everyone’s friendly numbers agent. We hear Wilson’s lyrical dialogue rich in metaphor and vivid imagery delivered with respect and craft by the talented cast. Daryl Satcher, Taj McCord and Alfred H. Wilson were particularly effective.
This powerful drama outlines the state of Black America in 1969 as frustration and shattered expectations eventually erupt into riots and marches demanding change. Told with terrific ensemble acting and paced swiftly to keep the tension flowing (fine direction by Jonathan Wilson), Two Trains Running delivers a vivid look into folks passionately determined to keep their pride in a world of inequity. As in all August Wilson plays, I gathered new insights into a world I never completely understood. You’ll be glad you saw this fine play.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
This show eligible for a C.S.T. Non-Equity Award
September 26, 2005
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