TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Presents Powerful Portrait of “August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned”

by Ron Friedenthal

     Theatreworks Silicon Valley’s production of “August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned”, currently being presented at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (500 Castro Street), in Mountain View, CA. through February 3 features Steven Anthony Jones in a heartfelt delivery that channels the late August Wilson’s autobiographical experiences in an impressive ninety-minute one-man show. 

     As I watched the show, I felt I was watching August Wilson himself. It was that convincing as he tells stories of his ‘becoming’ at age 20 in the colorful black neighborhood of Pittsburgh’s The Hill. Jones commands the audience’s attention with his gentle chiding anger, pride, and humor.

     The play covers the stories of August Wilson’s early life as a young, black American trying to move forward in an era of blatant racism. As the story develops, the audience meets the characters he encounters along the way in this journey. For example, Cy Morocco, who can’t read but won’t let anyone know, and attempts to play the saxophone when he simply can’t. Stories about his struggle to sustain jobs display his newfound sense of self-respect, honor, and dignity.

     Though a very difficult topic to portray, the story is tempered by humor and wit, which makes it relatable for the wide range of theatregoers who see it.  Life lessons relevant to both whites and blacks, for example, ‘something is not always better than nothing’, are philosophical gems that are carefully revealed through entertaining anecdotes.

     With his loud, booming voice and strong acting skills, Steven Anthony Jones gives the audience a truly noteworthy experience. “How I Learned what I Learned” captures the essence of what it must be like to grow up black in America summed up elegantly when he says that “black and white Americans are victims of our history and that this victimization leaves us staring across a great divide of economics, privilege, and the unmitigated pursuit of happiness”. Now, perhaps more than ever, Wilson’s tale of self-discovery is a call that speaks to us all. For this reason alone, this is a presentation not to be missed.

     For tickets or more information on “How I Learned What I Learned” please visit Theatreworks.org or phone the box office at (877) 662-8978.

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Photo caption: Steven Anthony Jones personifies August Wilson in the tour de force solo show "How I Learned What I Learned," presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, currently performing through February 3, 2024 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo Credit: Jenny Graham)