Three plays from Wilson's 10-play cycle, Seven Guitars, Two Trains Running and King Hedley II, will be presented, beginning in fall 2006.
Dates and full creative teams for the three productions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Signature founding artistic director James Houghton stated, "We are extremely grateful to August's wife, Constanza Romero, for initiating the further discussions that led to this very happy outcome. We look forward to working with her as we continue to schedule the season and do all that we can to honor this great American playwright. We're thrilled that she has accepted our invitation to be involved with the company throughout the season. Her guidance will be invaluable."
Constanza Romero said in a statement, "I thank Jim Houghton and everyone at Signature for allowing us the time we needed to have some clarity about the immediate future of August's legacy. My husband had great admiration for Signature, a sentiment echoed by so many of his collaborators. I'm very pleased that the company will be able to proceed with its very gracious tribute and was happy to work with Jim in choosing the plays for the season."
To make theatre accessible to the broadest possible audience, Signature has partnered with Time Warner, Inc. to establish a groundbreaking ticket initiative offering every seat at every show for $15 throughout the 15th Anniversary. All three August Wilson productions are included in this initiative. Here is a breakdown of the works to be staged by Signature:
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As part of its 15th Anniversary, Signature has launched the "Signature Series," a program presenting celebrated works by previous resident writers. The "Signature Series" began Nov. 15, 2005 with Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful, directed by Harris Yulin, and featuring Lois Smith as Carrie Watts and Hallie Foote as Jessie Mae.
The series will continue in the spring with John Guare's Landscape of the Body, directed by Michael Greif and starring Lili Taylor and Sherie Rene Scott (March 28-May 21, 2006). Signature will also present a free staged reading of Adrienne Kennedy's adaptation of Madame Bovary as part of its 15th Anniversary expanded programming.
The August Wilson series will begin in Fall 2006 and round out the 15th Anniversary celebration, a 20-month celebration.
Signature presents at Peter Norton Space, 555 W. 42nd Street (between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues).
For subscription and ticket information, call (212) 244-PLAY or visit www.signaturetheatre.org.