The UIC Theater presented Seven Guitars by August Wilson, directed by Derrick Sanders. Seven Guitars is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the summer of 1948, where Floyd Barton's friends gather after his funeral and flashback: Floyd returned from a trip to Chicago with his hit blues song “That’s All Right” and rekindled the love for Vera. After hearing from the record company and their interest in following up his hit song with an album, Floyd becomes excited to finally make things right. After spending all his money, losing two lovers, spending 90 days in prison and even pawning his guitar; a motivated Floyd prepares for his trip, when he returns he has money and convinces Vera to accompany him. A report came in that someone had robbed the circulation desk. Floyd's friend Canewell finds money buried in the backyard. Floyd, holding Canewell at gunpoint, threatens to give him back his money. After returning the money, Hedley – the tenant – aggressively goes in to collect the money and returns with his newly acquired machete, kills Floyd and recovers the money. The flashback ends, Canewell and Hedley are left alone where he begins singing, "I thought I heard Buddy Boldin Say" and drops the money that Floyd had "taken a risk" to reach for. An obvious theme in the play Seven Guitars was the African-American man's struggle for dignity and self-awareness against society and its malevolence. The rooster represents the average African American man and Canewell and Hedley's encounters with the rooster in the play illustrate this. Canewell explains how southern roosters are different from northern ones. He says roosters didn't crow in the days of slavery. The singing symbolizes awakening, without singing, no one...... middle of paper...... He really sold the role and did it justice. Also, at the beginning of the flashback, I had no idea who the main character was, but Christian developed the character in a subtle but effective way. August Wilson's tragedy Seven Guitars captivates audiences with a gripping tragedy with plenty of comedy. With the many themes referencing slavery, racism and death, this play keeps the audience intrigued. Fred Uebele's stunning set design was created flawlessly and also developed the play smoothly, with the play's music being performed at good moments and held the play together through the transitions between scenes. Additionally, the acting in the play was above all my expectations. The characters were perfectly played and the actors really complimented their characters. I would recommend this piece to anyone, whether it's their first or last..