On June 11, 2017, the audience of Manhattan Theatre Club’s viewing party at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre went wild when the critically acclaimed Broadway debut of August Wilson’s Jitney, directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson was announced as the winner of the 2017 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play by Orlando Bloom at Radio City Music Hall.
MTC’s Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Director Barry Grove led the procession to the stage and were joined by director Ruben Santiago-Hudson, cast member John Douglas Thompson, August Wilson’s widow, Constanza Romero, producers John Legend and his Get Lifted partner Mike Jackson, Eric Falkenstein, Ron Simons, and cast members Harvy Blanks, Anthony Chisholm, Brandon J. Dirden and Carra Patterson.
In her acceptance speech, MTC’s Artistic Director Lynne Meadow said, “Thank you so much! The actors, my partner, Barry Grove and I are so thrilled, and on behalf of all of us at Manhattan Theatre Club, and our co-producing partners. We want to tell you, it was a complete privilege and an honor to produce this show. Thank you to a fantastic acting company and an amazing company of designers; they’re great. And special thanks to our director, the great Ruben Santiago. Ruben was determined that Jitney would make its Broadway bow, and he was an inspiration to all of us. He brought out the best in all of us, and we are so grateful to him. August Wilson wrote ten plays, one for every decade in the 20th century that chronicled African American life and culture. Jitney is a shining example of his brilliance, his poetry, his deep insight into the human heart, and his belief in the importance of coming together in community, to overcome adversity, and to celebrate our humanity, our shared humanity. Thank you so much!”
After the Tony Awards ceremony at Radio City Musical Hall, director Ruben Santiago-Hudson was the first to arrive at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, followed by Constanza Romero and Jitney cast members Harvy Blanks, Anthony Chisholm, Brandon J. Dirden and Carra Patterson. Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove brought up the rear with the Tony Award in tow.
Ruben Santiago-Hudson said, “We got the big one. It was not possible without everyone here that works at MTC from the front of the house, backstage, security, everybody – you all made us feel like family and we can never forget that. And hopefully, as we move forward, we bring you all – the memory and the love that you have instilled in us. More than anything I’m grateful to Lynne and Barry, Eric Falkenstein and all the people that continue to fight for Jitney to continue living. John Legend, we thank you, wherever John is. Like Bill Sims Jr. said, “We ain’t done yet y’all!. So Party on!”
Jitney began previews on December 28th and opened on January 19th at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
The cast featured Harvy Blanks as “Shealy;” Tony Award nominee Anthony Chisholm as “Fielding,” Obie and Theatre World Award winner Brandon Dirden as “Booster;” André Holland as “Youngblood;” Carra Patterson as “Rena,” Michael Potts as “Turnbo,” Ray Anthony Thomas as “Philmore;” Keith Randolph Smith, as “Doub” and Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner John Douglas Thompson as “Becker.”
Jitney ended its limited run on March 12, 2017.
Set in the early 1970s, this richly textured piece follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or Jitneys. When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss’ son returns from prison, tempers flare, potent secrets are revealed and the fragile threads binding these people together may come undone at last.
Jitney was also nominated in the categories of Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (John Douglas Thompson), Best Scenic Design of a Play (David Gallo), Best Costume Design of a Play (Toni-Leslie James) Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jane Cox) and Best Director of a Play (Ruben Santiago-Hudson).
Jitney scooped up three Drama Desk Awards out of six nominations in the categories of Outstanding Play Revival, Outstanding Director for Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Outstanding Music for Bill Sims Jr. Other awards include a special citation from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle for director Ruben Santiago-Hudson and the ensemble cast; the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival, the 2017 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Revival and the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette August Wilson’s ‘Jitney’ captures best play revival at 2017 Tony Awards
Billboard.com: John Legend Wins Tony Award for ‘Jitney,’ Is One Emmy Away from EGOT Status
Actors’ Equity Foundation Honors Anthony Chisholm, Katrina Lenk, Will Pullen and Barbara Barrie
Complete List of 2017 Tony Nominees
August Wilson’s JITNEY Receives 6 Tony Nominations including Best Revival
OSLO, JITNEY, COME FROM AWAY, HELLO DOLLY! Among 2017 Drama Desk Award Winners
Livestream the 2017 Drama Desk Awards at The Town Hall Tonight
HELLO DOLLY!, COME FROM AWAY, JITNEY, OSLO and More Garner Outer Critics Circle Awards
Inside the Opening Night Party with JITNEY Director Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Company
Getting to Know the Cast of August Wilson’s JITNEY at Manhattan Theatre Club; Previews Begin Dec. 28
Inside Rehearsals of MTC’s Broadway Debut of August Wilson’s JITNEY; Previews Begin December 28
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia is also an internationally published and exhibited photographer, a multi-platform journalist, and a publicist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
Backstage Pass with Lia Chang 