Seattle Rep plans Wilson play

To honor the achievements of acclaimed Seattle playwright August Wilson, who recently was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, the Seattle Repertory Theatre has reshuffled its 2005-06 season to present Wilson's latest play, "Radio Golf," in January.

"Radio Golf," which focuses on the ethical dilemmas of a pair of black Pittsburgh real-estate developers, is the final work in Wilson's epic 10-play drama cycle about a century of African-American experience.

Deemed "funny, thoughtful and reverberant" by the Los Angeles Times, the drama will run at Seattle Rep's Bagley Wright Theatre from Jan. 19 through Feb. 18, 2006. It replaces "Rewrites," a Neil Simon play the Rep plans to reschedule for its 2006-07 season.

"Important and defining moments occur in the theater and in our lives," said Rep Artistic Director David Esbjornson in a prepared statement. "It seems imperative that Seattle Rep respond to the recent events in Mr. Wilson's life and support this beloved artist in any way possible."

In an interview, Esbjornson said he'd called Wilson to tell him of the plan, and the playwright "seemed very pleased, he thought it was wonderful. I got the feeling he'd really like to participate in the production in some way, if possible."

"Radio Golf" will be directed at Seattle Rep by Kenny Leon, who staged the script's world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre last April and a second run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. The Rep version will use a revised script Wilson has been fine-tuning.

The Rep earlier presented eight of the 10 works in Wilson's epic cycle, including the two honored with Pulitzer Prizes: "Fences" and "The Piano Lesson."

Wilson, 60, has lived in Seattle since 1990. He is resting at his Capitol Hill home and was unavailable for comment.