The cast has been selected for August Wilson's Jitney which opens Feb. 3 at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles for a six-week run. Directed by Marion McClinton, the cast includes (in alphabetic order): Willis Burks II, Paul Butler, Anthony Chisholm, Leo V. Finnie III, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Barry Shabaka Henly, Russell Hornsby, Carl Lumbly and Nichole Briana White.

The creative team is in place too. Set design is by David Gallo, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Donald Holder and sound design by Rob Milburn. Narda Alcott is the production stage manager.

The first play written by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wilson, Jitney offers a look into 1970s Pittsburgh and the lives of a group of black men scraping out a living in a gypsy cab company (or jitney station). The play's central character (Charles Becker) is the owner of the unlicensed company who must deal with the city's plan to board up his business as well as his son's return after 20 years in prison.

Mark Taper Forum is located at 135 N. Grand Ave. For tickets and information call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.TaperAhmanson.com

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent