Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II

By: Feb. 19, 2015
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Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for August Wilson's classic drama King Hedley II. Set in the 1980s Hill District of Pittsburgh, the ninth installment of Pulitzer Prize winner Wilson's acclaimed play cycle examining Black America follows a scarred ex-convict who struggles to turn his life around and lock away his past. The drama is directed by Timothy Douglas, who worked with the late playwright on the world premiere of Radio Golf and has directed eight plays out of Wilson's 10-play cycle. King Hedley II runs February 6-March 8, 2015 in the Fichandler Stage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the opening night photos below!

As previously announced, Bowman Wright stars as King, the returning ex-convict with seven years of prison haunting him. Wright, who was last seen atArena Stage as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in The Mountaintop, is joined by returning Arena Stage cast members E. Faye Butler (Smokey Joe's Café, Pullman Porter Blues, Oklahoma!) as Ruby and KenYatta Rogers (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) as Mister. Making their Arena Stage debuts are Tony Award nominee André De Shields (Broadway's The Full Monty, Ain't Misbehavin') as Stool Pigeon, Jessica Frances Dukes (Playwrights Horizons' Bootycandy) as Tonya and Michael Anthony Williams (Round House's Two Trains Running) as Elmore.

Photo Credit: Cameron Whitman Photography

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
The company

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
The company

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
Andre De Shields (left) and Michael Anthony Williams with August Wilson's daughter Sakina Ansari

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
August Wilson's daughter Sakina Ansair with cast members Jessica Frances Dukes and E. Faye Butler

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
KenYatta Rogers and E. Faye Butler

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
Arena Stage Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, August Wilson’s daughter Sakina Ansari and director Timothy Douglas

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
Congressman Mike Doyle, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Regional President of PNC Bank Michael N. Harreld

Photo Flash: First Look at Andre De Shields, E. Faye Butler and More at Opening Night of Arena Stage's KING HEDLEY II
Arena Stage Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, Congressman Mike Doyle and director Timothy Douglas



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