Having been shortlisted for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize and awarded three Connecticut Critics Circle Awards, Dael Orlandersmith's Yellowman has become a hot property, traveling across the country (Philadelphia, New Haven) on its way to New York City.

But before the two-person drama arrives at Manhattan Theatre Club in the fall, it will stop at Seattle's ACT Theatre, where Yellowman plays July 5-Aug. 4. Opening night is July 11 in The Falls.

Yelloman takes its title from the skin-tone definition among African Americans — those who are dark skinned and the lighter-skinned persons who are considered "yellow." In the play, dark-skinned Alma (played by Orlandersmith herself) and light-skinned Eugene feel destined to love each other, if they can overcome their prejudices against one another's color. An Obie winner for Beauty's Daughter, Orlandersmith also penned Monster and The Gimmick.

Howard Overshown (Blue) is Eugene. Wilma Theatre co-artistic director Blanka Zizka directs. A Barrymore Award-winner, Zizka helmed Jim Cartwright's Road, Avenue X and The Invention of Love.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson will discuss Yellowman with author Sherman Alexie and the audience after the July 16 performance. Other less starry talkbacks will be held on July 21 and 28. All three will be moderated by Minty Jeffrey of ColorsNW Magazine. Tickets are $27.50 for previews, $32.50-$44 for regular performances. ACT Theatre is located at the corner of Seventh and Union. For reservations, call (206) 292-7676. The ACT Theatre is located at http://www.acttheatre.org.

—By Robert Simonson
and Christine Ehren