The Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre presents one of August Wilson’s rarely produced masterpieces, “Seven Guitars,” Feb. 21 – March 10 at the Warwick Theatre.

Wilson weaves the stories of seven African Americans living off what they can in the row-houses of Pittsburgh. Floyd, a down-on-his-luck thirty something, returns home after a 90-day stint in prison, to discover that a song he recorded in Chicago almost a year ago has become a break out hit.

Floyd is eager to return to Chicago, at the bequest of the recording company, to lay down more tracks and ignite his career. Vera, Floyd’s on-and-off-again fling and his neighbor Hedley warn Floyd of the temptation of success and the cost he may have to pay. “Seven Guitars” follows Floyd as he tries to escape from Pittsburgh and overcome the constant barrage of obstacles he finds himself up against.

Wilson wrote “Seven Guitars” as his 1940s installment of his Pittsburg Cycle, a series of plays from the Oscar-nominated and Pulitzer- & Tony-winning playwright that focuses on the plights, progressions, and successes of African-Americans in the 20th century. Wilson wrote this installment in 1995 and the play premiered on Broadway that following year to wide critical acclaim and numerous Tony nominations. The drama was also shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize that same year.

The play is directed by MET’s Artistic Director Karen Paisley with an ensemble of great local actors: Sherri Mosley, Theodore Priest Holmes, Shawna Pena-Downing, Granville O’Neal, Robert “Tre” Coppage and features debut performances from Keenan Ramos and Alexis Dupree.

Shows are staged Wednesday through Sunday with evening performances begin nightly at 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinee performances only on Sundays. The plays are produced at the MET’s newly acquired venue – the historical Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main St., KCMO.

Tickets, $15 to $54 per performance, can be ordered online at MetKC.org or over the phone by calling the box office at 816-569-3226.