Seven Guitars, by August Wilson, Directed by Derrick Sanders

The UIC Theater presented August Wilson’s Seven Guitars directed by Derrick Sanders.

Seven Guitars is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the summer of 1948, where Floyd Barton’s friends gather after his funeral and flashback: Floyd has returned from a trip to Chicago with his hit blues song ‘That’s All Right’ and rekindled love for Vera. After hearing from the record company and their interest in following up his hit song with an album, Floyd becomes ecstatic to finally make things right. After spending all his money, losing two lovers, spending 90 days in jail, and even resorting to pawning his guitar; a driven Floyd prepares for his trip, when he returns he has money and convinces Vera to go with him. A report was announced that someone had robbed the Loan office. Floyd’s friend- Canewell- finds money buried in the garden. Floyd, holding Canewell at gunpoint, threatens for the return of his money. After returning the money, Hedley- tenant- comes in grabbing the money aggressively and returns with his newly acquired machete and kills Floyd and collects the money. The flashback ends, Canewell and Hedley are left alone where he begins to sing, “I thought I heard Buddy Boldin Say” and drops the money that Floyd had “taken a chance” to attain.

A theme evident in the play Seven Guitars was the African-American man’s struggle for dignity and self-awareness against society and its malevolence. The rooster representing the average African-American man and Canewell and Hedley’s encounters with the rooster in the play depict this. Canewell talks about how roosters down south are different from the roosters up north. He says that the roosters did not crow during times of slavery. Crowing symbolizes waking up, with no crowing no one ...

... middle of paper ...

... He really sold the part and did the part justice. Furthermore in the beginning of the flashback I had no idea who the main character was, but Christian developed the character subtly yet effectively.

The tragedy Seven Guitars by August Wilson captures the audience with a captivating tragedy with plenty of comedy. With the numerous themes referencing slavery, racism, and death this play keeps the audience intrigued. The amazing scenery by Fred Uebele was created without flaw and developed the play smoothly as well with the music in the play was executed at great times and held the play together through transitions into scenes. Additionally, the acting in the play was above any expectations I had. Characters were performed flawlessly and the actors really complimented their characters. I would recommend this play for anyone whether it was his or her first or last.