"You Get History" - August Wilson's American Century Cycle (Ep. 78)

In episode 78, The Boston Sisters discuss the film adaptations of plays by award-winning playwright August Wilson (1945 - 2005) and their significance in understanding American history with Dr. Sandra G. Shannon, a leading authority on Wilson's work, as well as founder and President Emerita of the August Wilson Society. Three of Wilson plays were adapted into feature films: FENCES, MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, andTHE PIANO LESSON. JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE is currently in development. Dr. Shannon highlights Wilson's mission to give voice to the African American experience and the importance of historical context in teaching his plays. The conversation also explores metaphysical elements in Wilson's works compared to the popular 2025 Ryan Coogler film SINNERS, and the impact of Wilson's plays on contemporary culture.

TIMESTAMPS

0:02 - Intro to Podcast and Dr. Sandra D. Shannon

1:00 - Overview of August Wilson's Plays

2:31 - Film Adaptations: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, THE PIANO LESSON, FENCES

4:18 - Dr. Sandra D. Shannon's first impressions of August Wilson

8:06 - August Wilson Society mission and legacy

25:10 - Baltimore's August Wilson Project

26:05 - Teaching August Wilson to a tech/media savvy student

30:06 - MA RAINEY's BLACK BOTTOM blues history

34:39 - THE PIANO LESSON and the value of owning land

44:41 - Pittsburgh as "ground" and microcosm

56:35 - Teaching history through August Wilson plays

59:20 - JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE and Great Migration

1:01:30 - August Wilson, SINNERS, and the supernatural

1:11:58 - Upcoming film adaptation

1:17:09 - African belief systems in August Wilson

1:20:54 - Where to watch FENCES, MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, and THE PIANON LESSON

1:21:14 - Books by Dr. Sandra Shannon

1:22:09 - Disclaimer

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