Review: Bishop Arts and Soul Rep Theatres' co-production, KING HEDLEY II is powerfully commanding, heart wrenching and rewarding

King Hedley II 

by August Wilson

Directed by Jemal McNeil

Co-Produced By: Bishop Arts Theatre and Soul Rep Theatre Company

Audience Rating: R (strong language, adult themes)
Running Time: 2 hours 50 minutes including intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory-friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Production Sound/Lighting Level: Comfortable

Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: Strong language, violent references, racial injustice,
gun shots, intense/dark scenes, death

Reviewed by Eddy Herring

Famed playwright, August Wilson, is known for his plays depicting the African American
experience living in America. In King Hedley II, the true-to-life characters Wilson
creates lead us through the daily struggles of a young man and his family navigating the
pitfalls and hardships of life in search of something more. Director Jamal McNeil
assembled a brilliant cast to tell this story, and the result is a dramatic and emotional
journey filled with laughter, hope, heartbreak and tears.

The Bishop Arts Theatre is a great, intimate space for this ensemble show. The
beautiful stage, designed by Gabirelle Malbrough, creates the perfect setting.
Costumes by Jasmine Woods are understated, yet appropriate for each character.
Lights and sound by Troy Carrico and Nash Farmer set the perfect tone for the action.
The actors fill the stage and use the aisles for several entrances and exits, bringing the
audience into the action. The choice to have acapella vocal transitions sung by the
actors adds a special nuance to scene changes that truly elevates the performance.

In all honesty, every member of this cast gives a brilliant performance. Brian Gibson
plays King with strength and charm, balancing King’s angst, heart and inner turmoil with
genuine ease. He is so believable as King that you forget you are watching an actor. I
could say the same of Anyika McMillan-Herod who embodies the role of Ruby. Her
exquisite attention to every detail of her character--her carriage, her voice, the realness
of her delivery--is so moving to watch. Olivia Lewis as Tonya is precise and grounded,
expressing controlled raw emotion that you can feel in your soul. Jamal Sterling as
Mister brings a lighter charm to the mix, while Jerrold Trice as Elmore leans more
toward tricky and untrustworthy. Both contrast the others very well. And, rounding out
the cast is the amazing Dennis Raveneau who delivers a powerhouse performance as
the elder voice of wisdom and spirituality. Raveneau is captivating to watch and
delivers some of the most gut-wrenching moments of the evening.

Although I was not familiar with this show, I can say that after seeing it, I left the theatre
feeling like I had seen something really special. The subject matter is a bit heavy at
times, but the storyline is strong and the cast pulls you in from the very start. Get your
tickets now and do not miss this stellar production. The show runs through October 26.
For tickets, visit www.BishopArtsTheatre.org.

Go see this show!

Eddy