Seven Guitars
Drama - Original
Walter Kerr Theatre
- First Preview: March 17, 1996
- Opening Date: March 28, 1996
- Closing Date: September 8, 1996
- Previews: 13
- Performances: 188
Playwright: August Wilson
Synopsis
In Pittsburgh's Hill District in 1948, an aspiring blues musician returns home for the woman he loves, an ailing old man hopes for an heir to carry on his name, and three women cope with betrayal and disappointment.
Opening Night Cast
 |
Keith David | Floyd Barton |
 |
Rosalyn Coleman | Ruby |
 |
Viola Davis | Vera |
 |
Tommy Hollis | Red Carter |
 |
Roger Robinson | Hedley |
 |
Ruben Santiago-Hudson | Canewell |
| Michele Shay | Louise |
Opening Night Production Credits
 |
August Wilson | Playwright |
| Lloyd Richards | Director | |
| Scott Bradley | Scenic Design | |
| Constanza Romero | Costume Design | |
 |
Christopher Akerlind | Lighting Design |
| Tom Clark | Sound Design |
Awards
Clarence Derwent Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Most Promising Male Performer | Ruben Santiago-Hudson | Winner |
Drama Desk Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Outstanding Director of a Play | Lloyd Richards | Nominee |
| 1996 | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Ruben Santiago-Hudson | Nominee |
| 1996 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Viola Davis | Nominee |
| 1996 | Outstanding Play | Nominee | |
| 1996 | Outstanding Set Design of a Play | Scott Bradley | Winner |
Drama League
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Distinguished Production of a Play | Winner | |
| 1996 | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Winner |
New York Drama Critics' Circle
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Best Play | August Wilson | Winner |
Outer Critics Circle
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Outstanding Director of a Play | Lloyd Richards | Winner |
| 1996 | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Nominee | |
| 1996 | Special Award | Winner |
Theatre World
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Theatre World Award | Viola Davis | Winner |
Tony Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Direction of a Play | Lloyd Richards | Nominee |
| 1996 | Featured Actor in a Play | Roger Robinson | Nominee |
| 1996 | Featured Actor in a Play | Ruben Santiago-Hudson | Winner |
| 1996 | Featured Actress in a Play | Michele Shay | Nominee |
| 1996 | Featured Actress in a Play | Viola Davis | Nominee |
| 1996 | Lighting Design (Play or Musical) | Christopher Akerlind | Nominee |
| 1996 | Play | Nominee | |
| 1996 | Scenic Design (Play or Musical) | Scott Bradley | Nominee |
Grosses
| Week Ending | Week # | This Week Gross Potential Gross | Diff $ | Avg Ticket Top Ticket | Seats Sold Seats in Theatre | Perfs (Prev) | % Cap This Week | Diff % Cap |
| Sep. 8, 1996 | 15 | $223,340 - |
$41,027 | $35.25 $60.00 |
6335 947 |
8 0 |
83.62% | 33.54% |
| Sep. 1, 1996 | 14 | $182,313 - |
$34,503 | $48.05 $60.00 |
3794 947 |
8 0 |
50.08% | -10.23% |
| Aug. 25, 1996 | 13 | $147,810 - |
-$11,077 | $32.35 $60.00 |
4569 947 |
8 0 |
60.31% | -5.70% |
| Aug. 18, 1996 | 12 | $158,887 - |
- | $31.77 $60.00 |
5001 947 |
8 0 |
66.01% | - |
| See All Grosses | ||||||||
Totals |
||||||||
| Last 4 Weeks |
$712,350 - |
$36.86 | 19699 30304 |
32 0 |
65.00 % | |||
| Cumulative |
$4,341,182 - |
$33.57 $60.00 |
130145 190347 |
188 13 |
68.37 % | |||
Santiago-Hudson Will Strum Seven Guitars For Signature 
