**** Highly Recommended Congo Square Theatre’s stellar production of How I Learned What I Learned wasn’t what I expected, it was much better! I guess I thought this autobiographical one-man show would have more of the conflict and sense of place, not to mention the woo-woo factor, found in August Wilson’s plays. Instead, it’s filled with anecdotes about growing up in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and other hard-learned life lessons. Don’t miss this tour de force performance by Harry Lennix. 4 Spotlights
How I Learned What I Learned was written in 2003 as a memoire monologue and originally performed by August Wilson himself. It premiered off-Broadway in 2013. It’s been produced periodically since then, most notably at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2022. The Congo Square production is ably directed by Ken-Matt Martin.
Sydney Lynne Thomas’s set is partly a cozy study – with a comfy chair and a roll-top desk. The backdrop, however, is a Pittsburgh steel mill. Great juxtaposition.
Harry Lennix ranged about the stage as he shared Wilson’s stories from his youth, the lessons he learned along the way and what it meant to be a Black artist. He started the show wearing a t-shirt with the phrase “I should have been white” because for some reason, people seemed to regard him as an exception.
Congo Square Theatre’s production of How I Learned What I Learned runs through May 5th at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St, Chicago. Discounted parking is available in the Water Tower Place garage. Get validation ticket from any usher.
Running time is 90 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:00 pm, Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 1:00 and 6:30 pm (April 28th only). Tickets range from $45-$65. FYI www.BroadwayInChicago.com or any Broadway in Chicago box office.