University Theatre presents
August Wilson's "Jitney"

University Theatre will present August Wilson's funky '70's ride, "Jitney," beginning tonight at Thompson Theatre.

Performances of "Jitney" will be held Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 13-16 at 8 p.m. each evening. Matinees will be held at 3 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 17. To order tickets, call NC State Ticket Central at 515-1100.

Written in 1979, soon after the then 33-year-old Wilson left Pittsburgh, "Jitney" was his first play to deal realistically with life in the dilapidated Hill District of Pittsburgh. In "Jitney," Wilson addresses the impact of urban renewal on the district through a group of middle-aged gypsy cab drivers - jitnies - based at an unlicensed taxi dispatch office. The jitnies transport passengers to parts of Pittsburgh avoided by "legitimized" cab drivers, providing an important service that urban renewal threatens to destroy.

Out of plotlines involving eight men based in Jim Becker's (Sedrick Dickens) shop emerges the central drama - a meeting between father and son which details grievances not forgotten, even after 20 years. Clarence "Booster" Becker (Damien Sledge) recalls what a "big man" his father Jim had once seemed, then how small, especially in light of his mother's death. "You turned your back on her, turning your back on me," he professes.

Other plot lines swerve throughout the play as well. An ambitious, hard-working Vietnam vet, Youngblood (C.J. McBath), shops for a home to surprise his girlfriend, Rena (Jelisha Gatling). Then, there's lingering questions about who's enabling one of the depot regulars, the alcoholic ex-tailor, Fielding (Raymond Cox). The gossipy, meddlesome Turnbo (Ron Foreman), keeps everyone on their toes, while the no-nonsense Doub (Jerry Blackmon) tends to his never-ending supply of crossword puzzles.

The interpersonal and political plotlines that emerge show how places such as the dispatch lounge can stimulate opportunities for men to be philosophers, to endure life's hardships and to contemplate the world.

Individual show ticket prices are $14 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, students and NC State faculty and staff, and $6 for NC State students.

Posted November 7, 2002

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