ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY BRINGS AUGUST WILSON’S POWERFUL PRODUCTION OF KING HEDLEY II, DIRECTED BY PULITZER PRIZE WINNER JAMES IJAMES, TO THE STAGE STARTING FEBRUARY 27
Philadelphia, PA | February 4, 2025 – Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106) proudly presents the fourth production of its 2024/25 season with August Wilson’s gripping drama, King Hedley II, beginning February 27. Directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner James Ijames, August Wilson’s King Hedley II, set in 1985, takes audiences on an emotionally charged journey of survival and redemption following an ex-convict’s struggle to rebuild his life against overwhelming odds. The production unfolds on the F. Otto Haas Stage with previews beginning February 27, opening night on March 5, with performances through March 23.
King Hedley II continues Arden’s commitment to August Wilson, marking the sixth play from The American Century Cycle performed here. The cycle chronicles the African American experience across different decades of the 20th century. Previous productions in the cycle performed at the Arden include Fences, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf. The two-and-a-half-hour play features six of the region’s most talented actors, including Akeem Davis, Kimberly S. Fairbanks, Taysha Marie Canales, Monroe Barrick, Dax Richardson, and Kash Goins.
King Hedley II is set in 1985 in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, a district that still exists today, and remains
deeply impacted by poverty and systemic racism. The realistic set design immerses audiences in the heart of the neighborhood, featuring weathered brick rowhomes, overgrown vines, a worn-down backyard, boarded-up windows, and a faded mural. The setting reflects the harsh realities and struggles faced by King Hedley II (Akeem Davis), an ex-con recently released from prison who is determined to rebuild his life despite the limited opportunities available to him. Desperate to provide a stable future for himself and his wife, Tonya (Taysha Marie Canales), Hedley dreams of opening a video store. However, with few legitimate pathways to achieve his goal, he finds himself caught between pursuing his ambition the right way or turning to desperate measures to survive. Hedley’s journey is influenced by the people in his life and the weight of their past, including his mother, Ruby (Kimberly S. Fairbanks), his friend and business partner Mister (Dax Richardson), his neighbor Stool Pigeon (Monroe Barrick) and Elmore (Kash Goins), a man from Ruby’s past.
“King Hedley II feels more prescient now than ever. The huge social and political problems of the 1980s have come back with vengeance. The ideas of nostalgia and progress in the play are potent and necessitate a grand ambition in the production,” said director James Ijames. “My hope is to create a production of this play that offers the audience the opportunity to see history as a roadmap for the future. The mistakes and brokenness of the Reagan era have directly shaped and changed our current moment. At the heart of the play is the titular character’s yearning, for a future, for a patch of earth, for love, to be freed from a past haunted.”
James Ijames is a Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, director, and educator with a long-standing connection to the Arden Theatre. Fat Ham, Pulitzer Prize-winning play for drama and a recipient of 3 Tony Awards, is among the most produced works in the country. This summer, it will make its European premiere with England’s Royal Shakespeare Company as part of their Summer 2025 season. In 2019, he directed Gem of the Ocean, another installment in The American Century Cycle at the Arden, for which he won a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play. Ijames has also appeared in numerous productions at the Arden, including Endgame (Clov), The Whipping Man (John), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio), and Superior Donuts (Franco).
Philadelphia-based award-winning actor Akeem Davis (King Hedley II) is well known to the Arden audience for his roles in the theatre’s recent production of Intimate Apparel (George), The Lehman Trilogy (Mayer), Gem of the Ocean (Citizen Barlow), A Streetcar Named Desire (Mitch) and A Doll’s House (Krogstad), for which he won the Barrymore Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor. Davis’ regional work includes roles at The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, The Folger Theatre, Theatre Exile, Azuka Theatre, InterAct Theatre Company, People’s Light, Theatre Horizon, and Simpatico Theatre. Davis was also the recipient of the 2015 F. Otto Haas Award for Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist.
Taysha Marie Canales (Tonya) is a three-time Barrymore Award nominee and F. Otto Haas Emerging Philadelphia Theater Artist Recipient who has previously appeared at the Arden in A Streetcar Named Desire (Eunice Hubbell), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia, Tom Snout), The Jungle Book (Mother Wolf, Monkey, Kaa), and La Bête (Madeline Bejart). Canales’ regional work includes roles at People’s Light, the Wilma Theatre, and the Azuka Theatre.
Kimberly S. Fairbanks (Ruby) is a Delaware County native making her debut at the Arden. Fairbanks is a versatile performer with a dynamic career spanning television, film, theater, and voiceover work. Regionally, Fairbanks has appeared in roles at Walnut Street Theatre, the Wilma Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, and InterAct Theatre.
Monroe Barrick (Stool Pigeon) is making his debut at the Arden. Regionally, Barrick has performed in productions at Hedgerow Theatre, Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia Artists Collective, and Irish Heritage Theatre.
Kash Goins (Elmore) is a Philadelphia-based actor, playwright, and director who has appeared at the Arden in Two Trains Running (Hambone) and A Raisin in the Sun (Bobo). Regionally, Goins has appeared in roles at Lantern Theatre Company, The Stagecrafters Theatre, Iron Age Theatre, and Plays & Players Theatre. In 2023, Goins directed August Wilson’s Radio Golf at The Arden.
Dax Richardson (Mister) is a dynamic and versatile actor who has previously appeared at the Arden in My General Tubman (Chaplain Ray). Richardson’s regional work includes roles at Hedgerow Theatre and the Quintessence Theatre Group.
The production design team includes Jordan Fidalgo (Assistant Director), Alexis Wells (Stage Manager), Thom Weaver (Scenic and Lighting Director), Levonne Lyndsey (Costume Designer), and Daniel P. Ison (Sound Designer).
King Hedley II begins February 27, opens March 5, and runs through March 23. Honorary Producers are Robert and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey & Robin and Saifuddin Mama, with Opening Night sponsor Harmelin Media. Additional support for this production is provided by the Charlotte Cushman Foundation. Single ticket prices vary by performance and start at $37. Tickets are available online at ardentheatre.org, by phone at 215.922.1122, or at the box office at Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street).
Special events and performances for King Hedley II include:
Pay-What-You-Choose Partnership with WHYY l Wednesday, February 26 at 6 p.m. In collaboration with WHYY, join us for a reception and special last dress rehearsal performance for King Hedley II. All proceeds will support WHYY. Click here to register.
Post-Show Talkbacks| Wednesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. & Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m.
Join a member of Arden’s artist team for post-show talkbacks.
Young Friends Night! | Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m.
Use code: YFARDEN for $30 tickets (Young Friends Night is designed for audience members 40 and under and includes a pre-show talkback and networking event). Click here to purchase tickets.
Teen Night | Saturday, March 15, at 7 p.m.
$15 tickets and a post-show talkback for Teens 13 – 18 years old. Click here to purchase tickets.
Student Matinees |Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
Want to bring a school group? Submit a group inquiry here.
Smart Caption Glasses | Starting Tuesday, March 11
Wearable, customizable Closed Captioning Glasses are available to reserve for performances starting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Click here to learn more.
Audio Description is Available on Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 22, at 2 p.m.
Live verbal descriptions of actions and visual effects are available for blind and low-vision patrons. Click here to learn more about Audio Description services.
Open Captioning Available |Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m. & Saturday, March 22, at 2 p.m.
Live, on-stage text display of all words and sounds for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons. Click here to learn more about Open Captioning services.
Photos, bios, and more live HERE.