The Green Room

On March 19, The Acting Company will perform August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” in the Wisconsin Union Theater’s (WUT’s) Shannon Hall, filling the stage with talent, history and stories. Currently on a national tour, The Acting Company will share the story of a diner owner in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the civil rights movement. The play explores the harsh realities of a neighborhood during the late 1960s and the changing attitudes towards race in America. 

The Hill District, where the play is set, was known as one of the most alive and culturally active predominantly Black neighborhoods in America during the 1940s and ‘50s. This was a time of flourishing businesses, packed restaurants and affordable real estate. Following the suburbanization of the area in the 1960s, however, the neighborhood began to struggle economically, ultimately forcing businesses to shut down. This industrial restructuring caused thousands of people to be displaced from their homes and to be left with virtually nothing. 

“Two Trains Running” covers the historical reality of urban renewal in the 1960s and life after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., when the streets of Pittsburgh were used for protest. The story also dives into the generational differences of resistance and survival of Black Americans. 

American playwright August Wilson was born and raised in the Hill District, where “Two Trains Running” takes place. From a young age, he knew his passion was writing and poetry. However, his mother insisted on a professional career in law. This disagreement resulted in Wilson leaving his home and joining the United States Army, where he was discharged after one year. He then began working various jobs, ultimately deciding to submit his poetry to local magazines for publication. He developed as a writer in bars, local cigar stores and cafes, where he consumed the voices and characters of the local community. In 1968, he returned to the Hill District and co-founded the Black Horizon Theater, and his career as a playwright began. 

In March of 1990, “Two Trains Running” premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. Just two years later, the play appeared on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre and ran for 160 performances and seven previews. The play was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Now, as part of The Acting Company’s national tour, the story is being told throughout countless states to celebrate 100 years of Black American community stories. 

The Acting Company writes, “Full of vivid characters, joy, hope, love, and perseverance, this Tony-nominated play celebrates the spirit, laughter, heart, and resilience of the people who make our country great even when faced with overwhelming odds.” 

Founded by Margot Harley and John Houseman in 1972, The Acting Company develops actors through professional theater tours and has been the foundation for more than 400 careers. The Acting Company won the 2003 Tony Award for Excellence in the Theater and the 2019 Audelco Award for Best Play. A company that has been seen by more than 4 million people across America and overseas has truly made an impact in the theater community. 

Join WUT for a night of stories, in appreciation and celebration of August Wilson's “Two Trains Running” performed by The Acting Company on March 19 at Memorial Union. Tickets are on sale now.