directed by Manny Buckley

City Lit Theater,

Chicago,IL

Nov.16,2024 

by Maja Rios

Seven Guitars, a play by August Wilson, was outstanding. It was one of the most memorable plays i have seen. All the cast members were great. The second-floor theater in Edgewater Church, was a very intimate setting for play.

 The play centers around a Pittsburgh blues guitarist who wants to travel to Chicago to make a hit record, that his manager has promised him and ultimately betrays. He is a dreamer, womanizer, hustler and focal point of the play. The other supporting characters are friends and foes, both women and men, who are doubting of his ability to be successful.  The character of Vera (Maureena Azzun) is the main female who agrees to be with him and support him. My favorite character is the Jamaican- American, Hedley, (Robert Howard) who is the most volatile, preachy, person quoting from the bible in his rich patois, and most outspoken of, the Black man in Americas’ status, past enslavement, and thus frequently proclaiming ” the Black man is the King” The Ethiopian King.”

Other supporting characters are three other women and two other men all who give advice to each other and comment on the blues guitarist’s hopes for a better life as they sing,dance,argue etc,,and offer advice, both good and bad.

     Seven Guitars is probably the most in depth slice of Black American life I have ever seen depicted in a play. Food,Music,Religion,Politics and History of Black American Culture is displayed through slang, dialogue and word play. Details  of Black life, such as Bid Whist,Greens,,Buddy Bolden, Sweet Potato Pie, Plantation, are frequently mentioned by the characters, that are all mainstays and still are today, of Black Culture, even though play is set in 1940s Pittsburgh, complete with great costumes from that era. 

     Although the play centers on Black life, it is at the same time the total experience of the human condition, of jealousy,despair,hope,belief,anger, death, marriage typical August Wilson style. All the actors were wonderful. I highly recommend this play. One of the best plays and acting I have ever seen.

When I heard Billy Bob Thornton was coming to town with his band, The Boxmasters, I literally jumped at the chance to cover the show. Get this: The band blends elements of rock ‘n’ roll, country, and ’60s pop, and when you throw in a front man with as much worldwide popularity (and notoriety) as actor Billy Bob Thornton (“Bud” as his gas-station attendant button down shirt displayed), the level of uniqueness was something that simply could not be missed. Here’s my honest take on their performance at Chicago’s City Winery last week:

In terms of authenticity, The Boxmasters’ music is rooted in a genuine appreciation for vintage Americana sounds, drawing heavily from the ’60s, British Invasion rock, and Southern influences. You can sense that the band’s style and Thornton’s vocals are sincere attempts to pay homage to those eras. Also, the lyrics seem to have a strong narrative quality, which is of no surprise, given Thornton’s acting and creative background. Honestly, most of their songs carry a certain straight-forwardness but with quite a bit of wit as well, which was fun. The only disappointing aspect is Billy Bob’s singing voice. It’s gravely and a bit monotone, which makes the songs feel less engaging after awhile. But, Thornton and the entire band are certainly entertaining, that’s a fact.

See Photo Gallery Video Below

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Based on the fact that the band is playing to a niche’ audience in smaller venues makes it surprising that they have released seventeen (17) albums, they’re latest entitled, Love & Hate In Desperate Places, which was just released this past August. But, unlike others in this day and age, let us not gauge worthiness and success on crowd size alone. In the end, if you’re into throwback sounds and appreciate strong storytelling in music, you’ll definitely enjoy them. Plus, watching/hearing the legendary Billy Bob in action…I mean, c’mon, it’s a win-WIN! Catch Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters in the States through mid-November. Click HERE for the band’s official website.