Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department alumni Chester Gregory and A.C. Smith won glowing reviews for their performances in Goodman Theatre’s production of August Wilson’s drama Two Trains Running, playing through April 12.

Chester Gregory

A,C. Smith

“For anyone still in need of an explanation of why August Wilson should be on the very shortest list of the greatest American playwrights of the past century, I offer Exhibit A: Director Chuck Smith’s stellar revival of Two Trains Running,” wrote Chicago Sun-Times critic Hedy Weiss, going on to praise Gregory’s “grand return from his many years on Broadway.” And Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones wrote:  “Gregory has not been seen in a major Chicago production in years, and he’s never done Wilson, to my knowledge. But his presence here . . . ignites this show.” Added Jones: “Chicago has, by now, its own informal Wilson repertory company, composed of men who have performed his work many times, often in the original Broadway-bound production. Smith, who is typically immaculate, is in that category.”