“King Hedley II ” reviewed by Michael Horn

The Court Theatre opens its 65th season with August Wilson’s King Hedley II directed by Ron OJ Parson.  Written in 1999 and set in 1985 , King Hedley II is the ninth of Wilson’s ten play American Century Cycle, which is about the complexity of the African-American experience, of undocumented lives, and of the people he grew up with in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In King Hedley II, all of the history and frustrations finally explode with devestating consequences.

As the play opens, King, played strongly and menacingly by Kelvin Roston Jr., is returning from 7 years in prison, and doesn’t know how to rebuild his life. The rage and anger that sent him to prison are still there and he must deal with it. He can’t find work and reverts to what he knows best, putting him once again on the wrong side of the law. He is also concerned about his legacy and leaving something behind.  He has returned to his mother’s house and we see him attempting to plant flower seeds in barren soil on a small plot of ground in front of the house.  He wants to grow the flowers for his pregnant wife.  This not so subtle metaphor, that there is hope for King and the community, is overshadowed by the violence and poverty that is constantly squeezing their lives.  He says: “they got everything stacked up against you” and it is clear he is referencing the world outside the Hill.

His estranged mother Ruby, deftly portrayed by TayLar, is an ex nightclub singer. She loves her son but believes he is still in the downward spiral that will end him back in prison. She is hardened by having nearly been raped by the musician she used to sing for.  She could have killed him but they became “good friends” after that.  She lost her husband in this violent world and thinks she will also lose her son. Re-entering her life is Ellmore, superbly played by A.C. Smith, an old flame, who also served time for killing a rival for Ruby’s love.  Now 66 year’s old, he wants to rekindle his relationship and mend his fence with her.  He is a hustler who has somehow worked around the “rigged system” to have some financial success, but he still brings pain to those around him.

King’s wife, Tonya, wonderfully portrayed by Kierra Bunch, is already a grandmother and pregnant.  She is seriously considering an abortion because the future for another child is so bleak. Her feelings for King are still strong, but her sense of reality is discounting his supposed commitment to having the child.

Stool Pigeon, a great performance by Dexter Zollicoffer, is Ruby’s neighbor and spiritual orator. He announces the death of Aunt Ester, the Hill community’s mystic advisor and a strong presence in several of Wilson’s previous plays, at 366 year’s old, lamenting her passing. He  opens and closes the play with righteous soliloquies, crying out “We give you our glory” in the last scene of the play, calling for the light of God’s mercy.

Mister, the witty and convincing Ronald L. Conner, is King’s best friend and confidant.  He and King are selling stolen refrigerators in order to amass $10,000.00 to open a video store.  When this seems to fall short he concocts a plan for them to rob a jewelry store, which almost ends in disaster.  He is always backing up King, but unknowingly is the root of the play’s tragic ending.

This may be Wilson’s most tragic play and it hits very hard.  He was exploring three generations trying to cope with the breakdown of civility in the black community. As the director observes, “King battles against all odds like so many of us have and will continue to do so until the battle is won, and the pressures of being Black in America are overcome”.

Ron OJ Parson is master at his craft and once again has shown the skill and passion he brings to his work.  Every thing in this production is meticulous and tightly wrought. The cast works so well together and each performer is completely immersed in their character. This play is superbly directed; kudos for another outstanding production. The standing ovation given by the audience at the end, is testimony to how good this play is.

The set by Regina Garcia is very realistic and puts the audience right on the edge of the back yard in the hood. The attention to detail is excellent.

The lighting by Mike Durst is well executed and the transitions very smooth.  The sound design by Christopher M LaPorte is excellent and added to the overall effect of this powerful production. The costumes by Alexia Rutherford are well done; reflective of the time and community

August Wilson wrote powerful and meaningful plays, the Court Theatre brings these important plays to us, and puts them in the hands of Ron OJ Parson.  King Hedley II should not be missed.

King Hedley II will run through October 13, 2019

Schedule:     Wed/Thurs/Fri:     7:30PM

                   Sat/Sun:               2:00PM & 7:30PM 

Location:      Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL

Tickets:        $37.50-$84
Box Office: (773) 753-4472 or www.Courttheatre.org

FREE Parking is available in the garage next to the theater.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “King Hedley II”.