Two Trains Running Press Release

Beck Center for the Arts Produces Drama Full of Stories and Steam in

August Wilson’s Two Trains Running

Lakewood, OH–Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to once again produce a poignant work by Black playwright August Wilson, with Two Trains Running. As a finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, August Wilson’s Two Trains Running is a taunt drama filled with relatable characters with lyrical dialogue that lures the audience into the story. Memphis Lee’s coffee shop lies in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, a neighborhood on the brink of economic development. Like most neighborhood hang outs, you’ll find the sage elder statesman, an ex-con, a numbers runner, a quiet waitress with a past, and a man with special needs who is looking for his ham. Compared to works by Chekhov, in this drama Wilson reveals the hopes and dreams of a community on the brink of change in the 1960s.

Local award-winning director, Jimmie Woody states, “I’m really looking forward to directing Two Trains Running. I’m not interested in repeating what was done with Jitney in the 2024 season, but in engaging this play on its own terms, through the talent of this cast and the beauty of August Wilson’s language, which continues to inspire me and push me to make this production something special.”

August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, directed by Jimmie Woody will run in the intimate Studio Theater from February 27 through March 29, 2026. Presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

“Wilson’s most delicate and mature work.” Time Tickets are available at 216-521-2540 and Beckcenter.org.

Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Preview performances are 7:30 p.m. the Thursday before opening night, with general admission seating for just $15. Smart Seats are available for each performance at just $15 per person. For more information on the 2025-2026 Professional Theater Season please visit beckcenter.org.

Talk Backs with panelists with take place after select performances. Visit beckcenter.org/theater/two-trains-running for details, dates, and times. These will be free and open to the public.

All performances are at theaters inside Beck Center for the Arts located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available. For more information visit beckcenter.org.

Beck Center for the Arts is proud to be a part of Northeast Ohio’s professional theater landscape, operating under a letter of agreement with Actors’ Equity Association. We are a Small Professional Theater (SPT) based on the number of seats, number of our performances, and the maximum weekly hours of work we provide to actors. We produce every show on our stages, by choosing the play, casting and rehearsing it, building the sets, props, and costumes, directing and performing the live music, and designing lights and sound. We proudly utilize regional resources and talent.

Beck Center for the Arts also offers arts education for all ages, all skill levels, and all abilities with classes and lessons in music, dance, visual arts, and theater, as well as creative arts therapies. Financial assistance is offered to qualified applicants so that these programs can be enjoyed by all.

Programming at Beck Center for the Arts is made possible through the generous support of First Federal Lakewood, and the Ohio Arts Council. Beck Center gratefully acknowledges the generous funding provided by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

Programming at Beck Center for the Arts is made possible through the generous support of the Ohio Arts Council. Beck Center gratefully acknowledges the generous funding provided by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.