King Hedley II at A Noise Within

King Hedley II

A Noise Within
3352 E Foothill Blvd Pasadena

King Hedley II continues the stories of characters first introduced in Seven Guitars and shows the tragic realities for Black men in 1980's, Reagan-era Pittsburgh. After seven years in prison, King attempts to rebuild his life, peddling stolen refrigerators to get the money to buy a video store. But his self-worth is built on self-delusion, and he plants seeds where nothing will grow.

Thru - Apr 28, 2024

Show Type: Drama

Box Office: 626-356-3100

www.anoisewithin.org

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King Hedley II Reviews

Average Rating based on 6 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

"...One of Wilson's everlasting strengths is the complexity of his supporting characters. Consider Ruby, King's mother in "King Hedley II," who left her son in the care of her Aunt Louise when she was pursuing a career as a singer. She came back decades later when Louise was dying. But King, now in his 30s, hasn't let go of his anger at being abandoned."

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- Charles McNulty

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...A Noise Within continues their 2023-2024 season with a fine production of King Hedley II by August Wilson. This ninth play in his ten-play cycle about the Black experience in twentieth-century America is loaded with the symbolism, spirituality, and superstition we have come to know from his writings. The exceptionally talented Aaron Jennings plays the titular role with the fire and desperation of a man in need of accomplishment. Despite being challenged with some heavy-handed presentational staging, he especially shines in his lengthy speeches, delivered eloquently and with a strong emotional through-line. despite his bad choices and the pain that his distorted sense of masculinity inflicts on others."

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- Lawrence Lucero

Night Tinted Glasses - Highly Recommended

"...But all that barely scratches the surface of these characters, all of whom keep revealing amazing insights and facets on a scale truly vast. In fact one of the sure signs of how very fine these performances--and how excellent the direction by Gregg T. Daniel--shows in how every character constantly keeps us guessing. I never knew precisely what would happen from any of them. Each word, gesture, and deed startled, yet also in retrospect seemed obvious, even perfect. Wilson deserves plenty of credit for that, but the words of the dramatist remain dead without the actors breathing life into them."

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- Zahir Blue

Stage Raw - Highly Recommended

"...Among the superb cast, Jones, who previously appeared as Aunt Ester in ANW’s Gem of the Ocean, captures the world-weariness of the battered but unbowed Ruby, a former big band singer who is trying to reconcile with her alienated son. Rogers also shines as Tonya, the offspring of generations of incarcerated men, who is nowdesperately trying to break that cycle. Mindful of impending disaster, Tonya and Ruby repeatedly caution the headstrong King, but he travels a darkening path. Contemporary Cassandras, unheard and dismissed, they are doomed to reap the whirlwind."

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- F. Kathleen Foley

Glamgical - Highly Recommended

"...A Noise Within offers another valuable production, honoring one of the best playwrights of the 20th century. August Wilson’s King Hedley II is a powerful play that resonates loud and clear in today’s fragmented society. The six thespians deliver an electrifying poiesis that turns Wilson’s poetry into a memorable performance. It’s an excellent example of what happens when you put together a skilled director, a talented group of actors, and a remarkable script."

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Broadway World - Highly Recommended

"...Know what’s in store. The play is long, bitter and peopled with characters who – for all their trampled upon dreams – are largely pretty unlikeable. Daniels clearly understands the nature of what he’s working with, and there’s nothing pretty or disingenuously uplifting about his production. Performers Aaron Jennings, Veralyn Jones, Christian Henley, Ben Cain, Kacie Rogers and Gerald Rivers display that same level of conviction. Rogers and Cain, in particular, are superb."

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- Evan Henerson

King Hedley II at A Noise Within

King Hedley II

King Hedley II Reviews

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

Night Tinted Glasses - Highly Recommended

Stage Raw - Highly Recommended

Glamgical - Highly Recommended

Broadway World - Highly Recommended

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