Experience the power of theater
Welcome to Powerful Long Ladder, where every performance is a journey. Discover captivating stories, brilliant acting, and unforgettable moments. Join us for an evening that transcends the ordinary.
Powerful Long Ladder theatre company presents Italy's Sardegna Teatro and La Piccionaia's Italian production of Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson's Jitney, in Italian, with an all Black-Italian cast.
When: MAY 5-6, 2026 , 7 pm
Where: The Treelawn Hall
15335 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110
There will be projected English supertitles during the Jitney performances.
Run Time: 2 hours 20 minutes. 15 minute Intermission.
Sponsors: The George Gund Foundation and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture
SYNOPSIS
It is Pittsburgh, 1977. In the midst of the steel industry crisis, for which the city is known worldwide, five drivers, Becker, Youngblood, Turnbo, Fielding, and Doub, struggle to get by, clinging nostalgically to the past, while seeing only the dark outlines of an uncertain future on the horizon.
Powerful Long Ladder theatre company in Cleveland, Ohio, was founded in 2018 by award-winning director, playwright,Terrence Spivey, former artistic director of the historical Karamu House.
Mission
To educate, inform, inspire, and entertain through classics, thought-provoking, and new works to reflect universal conditions, and enrich the quality of life, unapologetically.
About Powerful Long Ladder
August Wilson's Jitney, in Italian,Comes to America!
Miguel Gobbo Diaz Becker/Shealy
Federico Lima Roque Doub/Fielding
Rosanna Sparapano Rena/Philmore
Marcos Piacentini Turnbo/Booster
Tomiwa Samson Segun Aina Youngblood
Renzo Carbonera Director
Fabrizio Arcuri Dramaturgical consultant
Angela Soldà Translation
DIGITAL PLAYBILL TO CAST BIOS, CREATIVE TEAM & AMAZING INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS!
The Wilson Project
The Wilson Project is a project realised by La Piccionaia between September 2022 and November 2023, culminating with the production and debut of the first Italian production of a work by August Wilson, Jitney. The play, Jitney by August Wilson, is based on a translation by Angela Soldà, directed by Renzo Carbonera and a cast composed entirely of Afro-Italian actors. To explore the themes of the project, a rich programme of side activities was also realised: in-depth events with artists and experts, film screenings...Click Link For More on The Wilson Project
Moments that move you
We at Powerful Long Ladder pride ourselves on creating immersive and memorable theatrical experiences with our productions.
Playwrights Local delivers an invaluable service to the community. For this particular work, they have partnered with famed Cleveland director Terrence Spivey, formerly of Karamu House, who now helms Powerful Long Ladder Ensemble. In previous interviews Spivey has said the goal of his company is to embrace issues that speak to the black community. Certainly, Thiz Girlz Lyfe falls within that embrace...
- Cleveland Scene
Connect with us
15335 Waterloo Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44110
The Treelawn Hall