Here’s a second chance to catch ‘Trains’

The most articulate voice for the black American experience in mid-century was August Wilson.

This literary lion chronicled the world he knew so well in a 10-play cycle. Wilson died in 2005, but his genius was acknowledged in his lifetime with two Pulitzer Prizes, a Drama Desk Award, and a Tony Award, among other accolades. And Wilson is considered one of the country’s greatest playwrights.

If you missed “Two Trains Running” when the Old Globe first produced the funny and sometimes poignant play, you’ll have another chance this month. “Two

Trains Running” will run at the Globe’s Main Stage theater through May 27 — with an exceptional cast to flesh out the fascinating characters.

This savvy slice-of life takes place in 1969 — after the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. In fact, an oversized portrait of the Civil Rights leader is suspended behind the realistic set in which all the action plays out. The Civil Rights Movement was slowly fading by the late ‘60s, and economic hardships hatched a different kind of movement — one espoused by the younger generation and symbolized by Malcolm X (whose portrait shares the space with the Civil Rights giant).

Tony Fanning, designer of the first Globe staging of “Two Trains Running,” created the evocative set, and his attention to detail is incredible. You will feel as if you’re actually one of the customers in Memphis Lee’s shabby diner — a neighborhood gathering place in a rundown section of Pittsburgh.

There are several threads of storyline running through “Two Trains,” but the play is less concerned with plot and more focused on the conversational exchanges among the local folks. And there’s plenty of interesting talk at the diner, with people coming and going all the time.

Memphis is preoccupied with selling his place to the government at “a good price.” They want to demolish the building to make way for urban renewal. After all, that section of town has gone to seed, and the only business left on the street is the funeral home. But someone else has his eye on the property, if Memphis will just sign on the dotted line.

The regulars at the diner include “West” (the undertaker). West is played by Al White, who originated the role of “Memphis Lee” when the show was first performed at Yale — and went on to play the part successfully on Broadway.

“Holloway” (portrayed by James Avery) is another familiar face at the diner. He imparts his wisdom to the rest of the customers, and makes a strong presence on the set — even though the actor is seated in a wheelchair the entire time.

Chuck Cooper as “Memphis” steals the show at the end of the play, when he shows up tipsy and victorious. Other sterling performances are turned in by: youthful Edi Gathegi as “Sterling,” the recently released jailbird trying to change his luck, Montae Russell, as “Wolf” the local numbers’ runner, and Roslyn Ruff as the morose “Risa,” who waits tables and keeps the coffee cups full although she has lost her zest for life.

Willie Carpenter’s role as “Hambone” is just a cameo, but every time the actor shows up demanding his ham, he brings down the house. Two other characters are part of the friendly banter, but they never actually appear on stage. All we know about them is what we hear from the customers, which is quite a bit.

This lively production — beautifully orchestrated by director Seret Scott — offers audiences a lot of laughs, and a lot of insights that reflect universal truths about the struggle for dignity, love, and security.

“Two Trains Running” may be about blacks in a bygone period, but it speaks to everyone and will continue to resonate with future generations.

For tickets, call the Old Globe box office at 619-234-5623 or visit www.oldglobe.org. Tickets cost from $52 to $62.