Two Trains Running

By AUGUST WILSON
Directed by RAELLE MYRICK-HODGES
On the F. Otto Haas Stage
March 10 – April 10, 2016

Approximate Running Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes including 1 intermission.

The civil rights movement is sweeping across Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1969 and Memphis Lee’s diner is scheduled to be torn down, a casualty of the city’s renovation project. Struggling to cope with a rapidly changing world, Memphis and the diner regulars fight to hang on to their solidarity and sense of community. From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson comes this masterpiece about everyday lives in the shadow of great events, and of unsung men and women who are anything but ordinary.

“Perfection…a work by a writer at the peak of his powers.”   –Variety

SPECIAL EVENT: Join us on Thursday, April 7, for a special conversation about urban renewal and eminent domain in the 1960s Pittsburgh of August Wilson’s TWO TRAINS RUNNING and in Philadelphia today. This event is hosted by Arden Theatre Company, in partnership with WHYY’s KEYSTONE CROSSROADS.  For more information and to RSVP, visit the event page. 
 


THEN AND NOW: A Conversation
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016
Arden Theatre Company
 
7:00 PM | Panel Conversation
8:00 PM | Reception

Urban renewal and eminent domain in the 1960s Pittsburgh of August Wilson’s TWO TRAINS RUNNING and in Philadelphia today. This event is hosted by Arden Theatre Company, in partnership with WHYY’s KEYSTONE CROSSROADS.  For more information or to RSVP, VISIT THE EVENT PAGE.

MODERATOR: Naomi Starobin, Editor, WHYY’s Keystone Crossroads.
 
PANELISTS:
 
  • Brian Abernathy: First Deputy Managing Director, City of Philadelphia. Formerly Executive Director, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
  • Johnnie Hobbs, Jr.: actor, currently playing Memphis in the Arden’s production of Wilson’s TWO TRAINS RUNNING.
  • Jimmie Moore: former municipal court judge and ward leader. Jimmy has lived on Montgomery Avenue in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of Philadelphia for about 14 years.
  • Rasheedah Phillips: Managing Attorney of the Housing Unit at Legal Services.
  • Christopher Rawson: As Senior Theater Critic and theatre Editor (1983 to 2008) for Pittsburgh Post- Gazette, Rawson chronicled Wilson’s career in detail, starting with his Broadway debut in 1984, and compiled a comprehensive record of reviews, interviews, and news stories. A member of the University of Pittsburgh English Department since 1968, he has a PhD in English Literature and teaches satire, criticism, August Wilson, and Shakespeare.

POST SHOW CONVERSATIONS

Post show conversations with the actors will take place immediately after the following performances. Audience members with tickets to that show are invited to stay for the conversation.

  • Thursday, March 24 at 8PM
  • Sunday, March 27 at 2PM
  • Wednesday, March 30 at 6:30PM
  • Sunday, April 3 at 2PM
  • Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30PM
Cast
Darian Dauchan (Wolf)
Kash Goins (Hambone)
Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. (Memphis)
Lakisha May (Risa)
E. Roger Mitchell (West)
U.R. (Sterling)
Damien J. Wallace (Holloway)


Director
Raelle Myrick Hodges
Scenic Designer
David P. Gordon
Costume Designer
Alison Roberts
Lighting Designer
Xavier Pierce
Sound Designer
Mikaal Sulaiman
Video Designer
Nicholas Hussong
Stage Manager
Kate Nelson
 
 

Critical Acclaim -

“Director Raelle Myrick-Hodges, miraculous in her first Wilson foray, has the ear, pace, rhythm, and so do her cast.”
“The Arden's triumph!”
-The Philadelphia Inquirer [Read More]
 


“Two Trains Running is electric!”
“…a marvelous cast”
“a major achievement, and a must-see for serious theater goers this spring.”
-Philadelphia Magazine [Read More]
 


“And the Arden’s effervescent new production, directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges, fleshes out Wilson’s play, subtly expanding it without changing a word.”
“Myrick-Hodges’ production is distinguished by great ensemble work, with each of the actors getting a moment in the spotlight.”
“Myrick-Hodges’ production not only brings these characters to life vividly; it also gives us a taste of their inner life.”
“Two Trains Running is an entertaining and involving production. In its own gently insinuating way, it draws the viewer deeply into the lives of its characters, thanks in large part to some tight chemistry and an immensely likable cast.”
-DC Metro Theater Arts [Read More]
 


“…a vivid production!”
-Phindie [Read More]
 


“…intriguing and deeply moving.”
“…a thoroughly captivating, thought provoking, and enjoyable evening of theatre.”
-Talkin Broadway [Read More]
 


“Two Trains Running is one of the more powerful plays I have encountered this year, and everyone involved with this production does an exceptional job with this show.”

“Everything about Two Trains Running is on the mark from the set (designed by David P. Gordon) to the costumes (designed by Alison Roberts) to the use of digital media (by Nicholas Hussong). The thing that really made this show excel was the way that the actors embody the characters, which made them captivating as both individuals and as an ensemble. They capably filled the stage with emotion and bring to light the complex nature of their characters, which made watching the show a remarkable experience.”
-Theatre Sensation [Read More]
 


“This finely produced play was directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges, a woman. It is such a joy to see that the Arden didn’t feel it necessary to have a man direct a play about men.”
-Broad Street Review [Read More]
 


“…the ensemble cast is excellent.”
-Beyond My Backyard [Read More]
 


“...the Arden added another of Wilson’s plays to its 'resume' with a top-notch production...”
-Steve Ramm, AOL Philly Travel Board [Read More]
 


The black experience then and now
-Broad Street Review [Read More]
 




In the News -

“Two Trains Running” opens at the Arden
- Philadelphia Weekly [Read More]


The civil rights movement takes center stage at the Arden Theatre Company
- Main Line TICKET [Read More]


A ‘joyful’ take on ‘Two Trains Running’
- Metro [Read More]


Philadelphia's Damien Wallace stars in 'Two Trains Running'
- The Philadelphia Tribune [Read More]


"Two Trains Running" at Arden Theatre Company
- Newsworks [Read More]


Best Things to Do in Philly in March
- Philadelphia Magazine [Read More]