Denzel Washington To Film Play In Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Denzel Washington is no stranger to Pittsburgh, starring in the film "Unstoppable," which was shot here. And he starred in "Fences," written by famed Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson. Now, the actor plans to direct and perform an HBO production of the play in Pittsburgh, later this year.
Paul Ellis, a nephew of the late playwright, is working to revitalize August Wilson's Hill District home, a national landmark.
"We'll be well poised to launch our capital campaign later his year," said Ellis.
He hopes to be finished before Denzel Washington begins production.
"I had an opportunity to meet Mr. Washington in April of 2010, in New York City, with him and Viola Davis on Broadway. We had a chance to talk briefly then. So we've been assisting on a collaboration. We're obviously very excited about working with Mr. Washington on this particular project."
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
Community leaders hope Washington will use Pittsburgh as the site for all ten plays in Wilson's "Pittsburgh Cycle." Details are not yet available.
As a side note, the vacant lot next to the August Wilson homestead will be the stage, later this year, for a theatrical production of his play, "Seven Guitars."
Meanwhile, renovation continues.
"It gives the entire Hill District a sense of community," Paul Ellis says. "And we're very proud about that. And we're not going to let this particular African-American landmark fall to the wayside. We're not going to let that happen"
