How I Learned What I Learned Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Somewhat Recommended
"...Although it's not everything I'd hope for in an autobiographical play, "How I Learned" provides fascinating glimpses into the life of a beloved American playwright. His nuanced reflections on race hearken back to earlier generations of trailblazing Black American writers while still speaking to the present. And one final note: the short run of "How I Learned" coincides with the Goodman Theatre's current revival of Wilson's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," so for those who want to be immersed in Wilson's world, it's a good time to be in Chicago."
Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended
"...Directed by Ken Matt-Martin, "How I Learned" is essential viewing for Wilson fans. It also stands on its own as a compelling tale of a Black artist grappling with often formidable trials and tribulations of everyday life in these United States. As Lennix unspools a series of stories that range from violent to celebratory, Wilson becomes the central character in his own story, and it's a story worth hearing."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews- Highly Recommended
"...How I Learned What I Learned and The Ground in Which I Stand, another August Wilson narrative that debated the idea of "colorblind casting" in the theater world, share common themes of cultural heritage authenticity through African-American voices. No one would have ever thought that this high school dropout, falsely accused of plagiarizing a paper on Napoleon, would one day become one of America's most renowned playwrights, except maybe August himself."
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...This is one the best shows I’ve seen this season. When Lennix convincingly plays Wilson, there is never a break in the words or action as he constantly moves from one part of the stage to another—and, in so doing, he keeps the audience mesmerized. In portraying the playwright so beautifully, Lennix has allowed theatregoers to enter Wilson’s world and to have it become a part of ours for roughly 90 minutes with no intermission (and not the 1 hour and 45 minutes that you might have otherwise seen on the internet)."
Third Coast Review- Highly Recommended
"...Congo Square Theatre is celebrating a landmark anniversary of 25 years of producing and staging plays written by Black artists about the Black experience in America. Their production of August Wilson's Seven Guitars won the first Joseph Jefferson Award given to an African American theater company in 2005. Congo Square celebrates its 25 years with How I Learned What I Learned by August Wilson. Harry Lennix is featured as Wilson in this one-man autobiographical play about growing up in Pittsburgh and moving through the experiences that would form him as a man and an artist."
MaraTapp.org- Highly Recommended
"...How engaging and edifying to spend an evening with Playwright August Wilson, whom I consider the Bard of the Black American 20th century experience. Equally excellent is that Harry Lennix, an esteemed film, stage and television actor, plays Wilson."
Chicago Culture Authority- Highly Recommended
"...It’s hard to imagine a better actor to bring the late Wilson back to life. At Sunday’s opening performance, Lennix donned the playwright’s persona like a favorite blazer and delivered a potent mix of history, humor and wisdom won hard from the streets of the Hill District of Wilson’s native Pittsburgh."