When “Jitney” had its world premiere at the Allegheny Repertory Theatre in October 1982, it was a revision of a script August Wilson first wrote in 1979. “Jitney” was a peek into the world of Pittsburgh’s Hill District, circa 1977, yet the play was a microcosm of what was happening in Black communities across the company as dreams collided with reality, and an occasional aspiration emerged to see the light of day.

JOSHUA ELIJAH REESE and GENNA STYLE

“Jitney” was produced in New York for the first time in spring 2000, winning rave reviews and accolades from the New York Drama Critics Circle as Best Play of the Year.

Twenty-eight years later, a production echoes that early version with a similar backdrop and casting; again staged in Pittsburgh, again with the same actor who created the role of its central character, Jim Becker.

You weren’t even sure why you were there.

Who needs class reunions, anyhow? You were hoping, as you slid into the old gym, that you’d at least see one or two old pals. You were hoping, too, that someone had insisted on name tags to help jog memories and match names with the aging faces of the kids you lost track of: classmates, lab buddies, locker neighbors, friends who faded away days after school ended.

Throughout your life, friendships come and go like the seasons. Sometimes, you’ll barely notice. But in the new book “Wench” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, four women forge a summer friendship that they need to last a lifetime.

This week I visited Schenley High School in East Liberty, Tim’s Lounge in the Hill District, The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh, Babylon and CJ’s in the Strip District, The Wyndam Hotel in Oakland and Ava Lounge in East Liberty.

My first stop was at Schenley High School where Pittsburgh Steeler Rashard Mendenhall pitched in to help out an organization called “The Early Childhood Male Fatherhood Involvement.” This event was also called the “2nd Annual March Badness Basketball Event.” I have to shout out Melvin El, Henry, Rick Rock and Rashard Mendenhall for doing something positive in the community.

The ladies come out for a night on the town at CJ’s in the Strip District.

(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn: My sister works in an office at a large corporation. Her co-workers are always selling something, books, magazines, cosmetics, etc. You name it, they are selling it. Because they are her co-workers, I usually purchase their items.
Gwendolyn, this is what’s bothering me. When I have something to sell, they never make an order. My teenage son recently cut a record. I asked my sister to take it to work. You guessed it. No one bought it. I recently wrote a book and got it published. I sent copies of it to my sister’s job. Again, as with my son, no one bought a copy. Am I wrong to expect them to buy from me? What should I do?—Ava