The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation presents
August Wilson's Seven Guitars
Not Currently Playing
Rouse Theatre
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation presents
It’s 1948 in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, and blues music echoes throughout the neighborhood. A group of old friends gathers to mourn and reminisce about Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton — a gifted guitarist whose star was on the rise and whose untimely death has irrevocably changed each of them. With live blues and lyrical dialogue, August Wilson weaves a poetic and poignant composition about the Black American experience. This landmark, Tony Award-winning play — a part of Wilson’s American Century Cycle — promises a soulful exploration of the ties that bind and the chords that hold us together.
August Wilson’s Seven Guitars is suitable for adult and older teenage audiences. This landmark script contains adult language (including the n-word) as it explores the tunes of life for the story’s characters. Through poetic dialogue
and blues melodies, they speak frankly and deeply about hardship, violence, death and racism.
The show runs approximately 3 hours, with a 20-minute intermission.
Lyrical language, earnest characters and a skillful infusion of the blues reveal the true wonder of Seven Guitars.
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Dimonte Henning (Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton), Bryant Bentley (Red Carter) and Vincent Jordan (Canewell) in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
The cast of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Kierra Bunch (Vera Dotson) and Dimonte Henning (Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton”) in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Dimonte Henning (Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton), Bryant Bentley (Red Carter), Vincent Jordan (Canewell) and Kevin Brown (Hedley) in August Wilson's Seven Guitars in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Marsha Estell (Louise), Kierra Bunch (Vera Dotsun) and Saran Bakari (Ruby) in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
The cast of of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater . Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Vincent Jordan (Canewell) and Kevin Brown (Hedley) in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Dimonte Henning (Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton), Bryant Bentley (Red Carter) and Vincent Jordan (Canewell) in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Saran Bakari (Ruby) and Dimonte Henning (Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton) in co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights with a lively post-show cast party.
In August Wilson’s Seven Guitars, the main character is chasing his dream of becoming a famous blues guitarist. In 1948, when the play takes place, the blues was transitioning from being music only for Black folks to being a popular form all over the world.
Join DuWaup’s Cincinnati Poetry Slam for a panel discussion, Black Art: Unacceptable Until it’s Mainstream. The panelists will discuss how Black art genres are often seen as niche or risqué before they become ingrained in American culture. They will also discuss their personal experiences working in their respective creative fields, and modern contributions by Black creatives to the arts.
No Reservation Required for 4/24
Floyd Barton, the main character in Seven Guitars, has a song on the radio. If he can get to Chicago to record again, he’ll have it made. Join DuWaup’s Cincinnati Poetry Slam for a panel discussion, Sudden Success: How to maintain momentum. Is any artist prepared for the consequences of unexpected success? In this safe space, the panelist will discuss their experiences dealing with the positive and negative impacts of a surprise success.
Reservations recommended but not required.
Stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.
Pay What You Can performances are an additional way we try to make live theatre accessible to those who otherwise might not be able to attend our shows. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 513-421-3888 or in person beginning at noon, day of the performance only. Tickets are subject to availability.
Trained volunteers describe the visual elements of the production via a hearing enhancement system, allowing patrons to hear dialogue, music and other sound effects. The description is timed to avoid interfering with dialogue. Before the show and during intermission, show and actor information are shared.
Each Rouse Theatre production offers one signed ASL performance during the show's run.
Photo of Dimonte Henning by Michael Brosilow.
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