Actors Aaron Moreland (Red Carter), Bonita Brisker (Louise), Ro Boddie (Floyd) and Joniece Abbott-Pratt (Vera) rehearse for "Seven Guitars" at Signature Theatre. Photo contributed by Teresa Wood
No Rules Theatre Co. opens their new season with “Seven Guitars” written by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award nominated actress Michele Shay, Sept. 10-28, at Signature Theatre.
Set in Pittsburgh’s center of African-American life called the Hill District in 1948, "Seven Guitars" takes place in Louise’s backyard, a gathering place for blues singer Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton and his friends. Floyd is released from jail and asked to sign a record deal after a song he recorded becomes an unexpected hit. After a year of tribulations, Floyd is ready to right his past wrongs and return to Chicago with a new understanding of what’s important in life.
“Seven Guitars” won the 1996 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play and was nominated for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1996 Tony Award for Best Play.
Director Michele Shay appeared in the 1996 Broadway premiere after being handpicked by Wilson to play the role of Louise. She received a Tony Award nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance.
Shay also worked with “Seven Guitars” at the Eugene O'Neill Playwright's Center in Waterford, CT, where she participated in every version of it both as an actor and since then as director, and also spent eight years contributing to the development of new plays.
"Every time I visit the play, I notice something new and different," she said. "I never tire of doing August Wilson for that reason. And working on August Wilson makes me very happy because he's so deep." Shay has appeared in three August Wilson productions and directed seven productions by the playwright.
She adds: "I think that one of the most important things about being in the shoes of August Wilson's characters is we start to recognize that there was always dignity in spite of what any situation a human being is going through."
She said the play has three exquisite women offering three unique aspects of femininity, and four macho men struggling with how to actualize their manhood in a world that constantly throws up obstacles to that.
"And they manage those obstacles in many interesting ways that provide entertainment and also break your heart," said Shay, who was born in Tuskegee, Ala., and has a BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University and an honorary MFA from ACT San Francisco. "But most of all, it will make you laugh a lot."
Besides "Seven Guitars" on Broadway, Shay’s acting credits include: "Gem of the Ocean" at The Kennedy Center; "Raisin In The Sun" on Broadway; "Midsummer Night’s Dream" opposite William Hurt; and "Coriolanus" opposite Morgan Freeman.
The cast features Ro Boddie as Floyd; Joniece Abbott-Pratt as Vera; Wayne Bennett as Canewell; Bonita Brisker as Louise; Alexis Cash as Ruby; Ron Dortch as Hedley; and Aaron Moreland as Red Carter.
Actor Ro Boddie said, "Floyd is the leader of a band that has just released a hit record that has made them local celebrities." He said Floyd is trying to overcome every obstacle that's keeping him from getting what he deserves, what's been promised to him and what he's worked so hard for.
He adds, "August Wilson gives you a peep hole into black culture that audiences don't get a chance to see often. The love and the hunger. The dreams and ambition. The relationships and community. The everyday struggle to stay afloat."
"So I hope audiences take away a different point of view. That no matter what race or color, we're not so different from one another. We are one," Boddie said. "We just go about things in different ways."
Bonita Brisker plays Louise, the nurturing landlord of the tenement, who can be sharp and opinionated. "My biggest challenge was meeting the expectations of our director Michele Shay, who originated the role of Louise on Broadway. Geez... was I nervous," she said.
"[Shay] allowed me to find my own way and let my ideas breathe, while at the same time, handled each actor gingerly with mittens, yet meticulously sculpting her canvas with precision," she said.
Brisker said, "I hope audiences will see a bit of themselves, or at least someone they know in our characters, and hopefully take away with them, the confidence and resilience of a people that overcomes."
Actress Alexis Cash plays the vibrant role of Ruby, a woman in touch with her sensuality and femininity who draws in men in a powerful way. "She's curious and a lot smarter and savvy than those around her give her credit for," she said.
She said the challenge was finding her strength in her sensuality and being open to showcase it without feeling like she was doing too much, "or how many women feel that they have to push back in their sense of sensuality instead of allowing it to be a part of themselves and their daily lives."
Cash hopes the audience will learn "that every moment is precious. that time is going by fast, so start today with your dreams and your goals — whatever it is, start today," she said.
As a final note, Shay said, "If you don't know August Wilson, don't miss this opportunity. You'll be entertained, moved, hear some good music and have a lot of good laughter."
"Seven Guitars" runs Sept. 10-28 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $22.20 to $59.85. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 703-573-SEAT or the Signature Box Office at 703-820-9771. Visit www.signature-theatre.org for more.