Thursday, September 3, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Final Statement
The play, Fences, is part of series of other plays called the Pittsburgh Cycle which were also written by August Wilson. Each play depicts and takes place during a decade within the 20th century in a neighborhood called Hill district (located in Pittsburgh). It turns out Wilson was a native to the Hill district which most likely means his depictions could be accurate. Research of the Hill district should be taken into account and will definitely influence the play and the characters within the play. Fences takes place during the decade of the 1950s. Many events took place during this time which will effect the world that the characters live in. During this time, civil rights movement took place and leaders like Martin Luther King started to speak out against the racial discrimination and second citizen treatment. African Americans felt the need to prove that they deserved to be part of this world as much as anyone else. During this decade, the major league baseball accepted African Americans into the league. Some came from the negro league team in Hill district. There were even black men like TROY, who sought out the dream and goal of becoming a professional baseball player only to have those dreams dashed to bits by racism. Fences shows the result and effects of racism and discrimination.
Making August Wilson’s Fences into a play requires many factors to take into account. One of them is the casting of the characters for this production. The script focus on the struggles of African Americans and how they cope with their struggles. Therefore, non traditional casting is unacceptable. Fences is a play about race and specifically about blacks and how their treatment out in the white American world affects them mentally, spiritually, emotionally and domestically. Casting non race specific would ruin the message the play is trying to send out. Casting characters with physical disabilities wouldn’t take away from the play. One question will the audience be able to see pass the physical disabilities and depending on the disability will the blocking be changed. What choices will the director make that will overcome the obstacles that an actor with a physical disability would experience. Another issue is casting actors for Troy, Gabriel and Rose. Are the actors required to have a singing background or will a voice coach be needed? Finally, will age be an issue when the director cast Raynell. Will the director use a child actress to portray Raynell or an older actress? Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Company's production of Fences address the issue of casting Raynell's character using an actual girl or an older woman portraying a girl. This theatre company decided to use seven year old, Sarah Jordan to play the part of Raynell. Another thing that could be linked to casting is August Wilson’s black director only policy. If the show is not directed by an African American, would the production lack something that only an African American director could bring to the production? Geva Theatre had to ask for special permission from August Wilson's widow for their white director, Mark Cuddy to direct the show. There is a possibility that the non-black director will have to ask for permission.
The script poses some problems that directors and designers have to collaborate together to solve. One of the problems is the over all layout of the set. There are scenes that take place on porch of the house, in the yard of the house and in the alley next the house. Since the house is the main focus of the play, how will the house be positioned on stage and how much space will the house take up? How will the set affect the blocking and will it be too cluttered? If the director wanted to remain consistent with the time period that the play takes place, the design of the house has to be accurate as well. The designers can’t just design any kind of house. Fences takes place in the Hill district which is predominantly African American and possible lower income homes. The house designs in northern united states contrast greatly with the houses of the southern united states. These are things to consider during the production of this play.
Making August Wilson’s Fences into a play requires many factors to take into account. One of them is the casting of the characters for this production. The script focus on the struggles of African Americans and how they cope with their struggles. Therefore, non traditional casting is unacceptable. Fences is a play about race and specifically about blacks and how their treatment out in the white American world affects them mentally, spiritually, emotionally and domestically. Casting non race specific would ruin the message the play is trying to send out. Casting characters with physical disabilities wouldn’t take away from the play. One question will the audience be able to see pass the physical disabilities and depending on the disability will the blocking be changed. What choices will the director make that will overcome the obstacles that an actor with a physical disability would experience. Another issue is casting actors for Troy, Gabriel and Rose. Are the actors required to have a singing background or will a voice coach be needed? Finally, will age be an issue when the director cast Raynell. Will the director use a child actress to portray Raynell or an older actress? Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Company's production of Fences address the issue of casting Raynell's character using an actual girl or an older woman portraying a girl. This theatre company decided to use seven year old, Sarah Jordan to play the part of Raynell. Another thing that could be linked to casting is August Wilson’s black director only policy. If the show is not directed by an African American, would the production lack something that only an African American director could bring to the production? Geva Theatre had to ask for special permission from August Wilson's widow for their white director, Mark Cuddy to direct the show. There is a possibility that the non-black director will have to ask for permission.
The script poses some problems that directors and designers have to collaborate together to solve. One of the problems is the over all layout of the set. There are scenes that take place on porch of the house, in the yard of the house and in the alley next the house. Since the house is the main focus of the play, how will the house be positioned on stage and how much space will the house take up? How will the set affect the blocking and will it be too cluttered? If the director wanted to remain consistent with the time period that the play takes place, the design of the house has to be accurate as well. The designers can’t just design any kind of house. Fences takes place in the Hill district which is predominantly African American and possible lower income homes. The house designs in northern united states contrast greatly with the houses of the southern united states. These are things to consider during the production of this play.
Educator's Packet
Basic Facts
Fences is a drama written by August Wilson from a series of other plays called the Pittsburgh Cycle. Each play within the series depicts a decade in the 20th century of African American neighborhood called the Hill District in Pittsburgh. Fences represents the decade of the 1950s. The play is two act with a cast consisting of five males and two females. The running time of the play is approximately two hours and 40 minutes.
Plot summary
The play begins with TROY and BONO, talking about work and the unequal treatment of black and white workers. TROY is a hard working man who has endured through many struggles in life from abuse from his father to incarceration to discrimination and racism. TROY has a loving and devoted wife, ROSE and a high school age son, CORY. TROY takes it as his responsibility to provide for them with the income of a garbage man. In addition, he provides for his war wounded brother Gabriel, who believes he is an angel, and is brother from a previous marriage, LYONS. Each of these characters need something from TROY. His son, CORY, wants to pursue a career in football but TROY refuses support him. Having these constant responsibilities and struggles doesn’t leave room for himself which results in him finding his ‘escape’ in an affair with another woman. His actions leaves the woman with child and him a father. He tells ROSE, who is not only hurt and angry, refuses to have anything to do with him. The other woman dies in child birth and TROY ask ROSE to take care of his child, RAYNELL. She accepts the child but renounces her duties as being ‘his woman’. Seven years pass and every gathers together for TROY funeral. Family deal with the unresolved issues they have with TROY and eventually have to let go of the past and move forward.
Playwright
August Wilson is an American playwright. His literary legacy is the ten play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the twentieth century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson
Production History
Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, California September 2006-October 2006
“Time has enhanced the luster of "Fences." Dozens of dysfunctional-family dramas have come and gone since its 1987 Pulitzer win, but August Wilson's tragedy of a working man at war with his family and his own identity circa 1957 stands apart thanks to its distinctive lyricism and theatricality and its unforgettable central character”
Geva Theatre Rochester, New York May 2009-June 2009
“…one of the most engaging productions I've seen on the Geva stage.”
Penumbra Theatre Company Saint Paul, Minnesota August 2008-September 2008
“Wilson’s words have power and motion and a driving force that makes Fences a real thrill to watch in action.”
Angus Bowmer Theatre Ashland, Oregon Febuary 2008-July 2008
“August Wilson's magnificent "Fences" reminds us where we've been, how far we've come and the limitless possibilities of where we can go.”
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre San Francisco, California March 2008 - April 2008
“…most commercially successful play in the cycle”
Things to do and Think About
1. When building and designing the set, what was the greatest challenge for the designers?
2. (For the director) Did you want the audience to be sympathetic toward Troy? Why?
3. Which character was the most difficult to portray through directorial choices ?
4. What reasoning led you to have Gabriel portrayed in that way directorially?
5. Have you directed this play before and if you have what changes have you made to the production?
Additional References
Homepage for August Wilson
http://www.augustwilson.net/
This website has a archive of primary document by August Wilson and would be helpful to understand the works and ideas of Wilson from previous works he has done.
The Hill District History
http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n4.html
This website is an Q&A setup of frequently asked questions of the Hill District. The setting of Fences is in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA and this website would help understand the world of the play.
Negro League Players
http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/players/players_index.html
This website gives a list of famous negro baseball players and their information. The play makes a lot of references to players within the Negro League of that time and Troy used to play in the Negro Leagues.
Civil Rights Timeline
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html
This website gives a timeline of significant invents during civil rights. The time that the play is set is during civil rights era.
Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/awilson.html
A study guide and informing website for teachers who want to experience Fences in an education setup.
Fences is a drama written by August Wilson from a series of other plays called the Pittsburgh Cycle. Each play within the series depicts a decade in the 20th century of African American neighborhood called the Hill District in Pittsburgh. Fences represents the decade of the 1950s. The play is two act with a cast consisting of five males and two females. The running time of the play is approximately two hours and 40 minutes.
Plot summary
The play begins with TROY and BONO, talking about work and the unequal treatment of black and white workers. TROY is a hard working man who has endured through many struggles in life from abuse from his father to incarceration to discrimination and racism. TROY has a loving and devoted wife, ROSE and a high school age son, CORY. TROY takes it as his responsibility to provide for them with the income of a garbage man. In addition, he provides for his war wounded brother Gabriel, who believes he is an angel, and is brother from a previous marriage, LYONS. Each of these characters need something from TROY. His son, CORY, wants to pursue a career in football but TROY refuses support him. Having these constant responsibilities and struggles doesn’t leave room for himself which results in him finding his ‘escape’ in an affair with another woman. His actions leaves the woman with child and him a father. He tells ROSE, who is not only hurt and angry, refuses to have anything to do with him. The other woman dies in child birth and TROY ask ROSE to take care of his child, RAYNELL. She accepts the child but renounces her duties as being ‘his woman’. Seven years pass and every gathers together for TROY funeral. Family deal with the unresolved issues they have with TROY and eventually have to let go of the past and move forward.
Playwright
August Wilson is an American playwright. His literary legacy is the ten play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the twentieth century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson
Production History
Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, California September 2006-October 2006
“Time has enhanced the luster of "Fences." Dozens of dysfunctional-family dramas have come and gone since its 1987 Pulitzer win, but August Wilson's tragedy of a working man at war with his family and his own identity circa 1957 stands apart thanks to its distinctive lyricism and theatricality and its unforgettable central character”
Geva Theatre Rochester, New York May 2009-June 2009
“…one of the most engaging productions I've seen on the Geva stage.”
Penumbra Theatre Company Saint Paul, Minnesota August 2008-September 2008
“Wilson’s words have power and motion and a driving force that makes Fences a real thrill to watch in action.”
Angus Bowmer Theatre Ashland, Oregon Febuary 2008-July 2008
“August Wilson's magnificent "Fences" reminds us where we've been, how far we've come and the limitless possibilities of where we can go.”
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre San Francisco, California March 2008 - April 2008
“…most commercially successful play in the cycle”
Things to do and Think About
1. When building and designing the set, what was the greatest challenge for the designers?
2. (For the director) Did you want the audience to be sympathetic toward Troy? Why?
3. Which character was the most difficult to portray through directorial choices ?
4. What reasoning led you to have Gabriel portrayed in that way directorially?
5. Have you directed this play before and if you have what changes have you made to the production?
Additional References
Homepage for August Wilson
http://www.augustwilson.net/
This website has a archive of primary document by August Wilson and would be helpful to understand the works and ideas of Wilson from previous works he has done.
The Hill District History
http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n4.html
This website is an Q&A setup of frequently asked questions of the Hill District. The setting of Fences is in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA and this website would help understand the world of the play.
Negro League Players
http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/players/players_index.html
This website gives a list of famous negro baseball players and their information. The play makes a lot of references to players within the Negro League of that time and Troy used to play in the Negro Leagues.
Civil Rights Timeline
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html
This website gives a timeline of significant invents during civil rights. The time that the play is set is during civil rights era.
Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/awilson.html
A study guide and informing website for teachers who want to experience Fences in an education setup.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Educator's Packet
Educator’s Packet
Basic Facts
Fences is a drama written by August Wilson from a series of other plays called the Pittsburgh Cycle. Each play within the series depicts a decade in the 20th century of African American neighborhood called the Hill District in Pittsburgh. Fences represents the decade of the 1950s. The play is two act with a cast consisting of five males and two females. The running time of the play is approximately two hours and 40 minutes.
Plot summaryThe play begins with TROY and BONO, talking about work and the unequal treatment of black and white workers. TROY is a hard working man who has endured through many struggles in life from abuse from his father to incarceration to discrimination and racism. TROY has a loving and devoted wife, ROSE and a high school age son, CORY. TROY takes it as his responsibility to provide for them with the income of a garbage man. In addition, he provides for his war wounded brother Gabriel, who believes he is an angel, and is brother from a previous marriage, LYONS. Each of these characters need something from TROY. His son, CORY, wants to pursue a career in football but TROY refuses support him. Having these constant responsibilities and struggles doesn’t leave room for himself which results in him finding his ‘escape’ in an affair with another woman. His actions leaves the woman with child and him a father. He tells ROSE, who is not only hurt and angry, refuses to have anything to do with him. The other woman dies in child birth and TROY ask ROSE to take care of his child, RAYNELL. She accepts the child but renounces her duties as being ‘his woman’. Seven years pass and every gathers together for TROY funeral. Family deal with the unresolved issues they have with TROY and eventually have to let go of the past and move forward.
PlaywrightAugust Wilson is an American playwright. His literary legacy is the ten play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the twentieth century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson
Production History
Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, California September 2006-October 2006
“Time has enhanced the luster of "Fences." Dozens of dysfunctional-family dramas have come and gone since its 1987 Pulitzer win, but August Wilson's tragedy of a working man at war with his family and his own identity circa 1957 stands apart thanks to its distinctive lyricism and theatricality and its unforgettable central character”
Geva Theatre Rochester, New York May 2009-June 2009
“…one of the most engaging productions I've seen on the Geva stage.”
Penumbra Theatre Company Saint Paul, Minnesota August 2008-September 2008
“Wilson’s words have power and motion and a driving force that makes Fences a real thrill to watch in action.”
Angus Bowmer Theatre Ashland, Oregon Febuary 2008-July 2008
“August Wilson's magnificent "Fences" reminds us where we've been, how far we've come and the limitless possibilities of where we can go.”
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre San Francisco, California March 2008 - April 2008
“…most commercially successful play in the cycle”
Things to do and Think About
1. When building and designing the set, what was the greatest challenge for the designers?
2. (For the director) Did you want the audience to be sympathetic toward Troy? Why?
3. Which character was the most difficult to portray through directorial choices ?
4. What reasoning led you to have Gabriel portrayed in that way directorially?
5. Have you directed this play before and if you have what changes have you made to the production?
Additional References
Homepage for August Wilson
http://www.augustwilson.net/
This website has a archive of primary document by August Wilson and would be helpful to understand the works and ideas of Wilson from previous works he has done.
The Hill District History
http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n4.html
This website is an Q&A setup of frequently asked questions of the Hill District. The setting of Fences is in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA and this website would help understand the world of the play.
Negro League Players
http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/players/players_index.html
This website gives a list of famous negro baseball players and their information. The play makes a lot of references to players within the Negro League of that time and Troy used to play in the Negro Leagues.
Civil Rights Timeline
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html
This website gives a timeline of significant invents during civil rights. The time that the play is set is during civil rights era.
Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/awilson.html
A study guide and informing website for teachers who want to experience Fences in an education setup.
Basic Facts
Fences is a drama written by August Wilson from a series of other plays called the Pittsburgh Cycle. Each play within the series depicts a decade in the 20th century of African American neighborhood called the Hill District in Pittsburgh. Fences represents the decade of the 1950s. The play is two act with a cast consisting of five males and two females. The running time of the play is approximately two hours and 40 minutes.
Plot summaryThe play begins with TROY and BONO, talking about work and the unequal treatment of black and white workers. TROY is a hard working man who has endured through many struggles in life from abuse from his father to incarceration to discrimination and racism. TROY has a loving and devoted wife, ROSE and a high school age son, CORY. TROY takes it as his responsibility to provide for them with the income of a garbage man. In addition, he provides for his war wounded brother Gabriel, who believes he is an angel, and is brother from a previous marriage, LYONS. Each of these characters need something from TROY. His son, CORY, wants to pursue a career in football but TROY refuses support him. Having these constant responsibilities and struggles doesn’t leave room for himself which results in him finding his ‘escape’ in an affair with another woman. His actions leaves the woman with child and him a father. He tells ROSE, who is not only hurt and angry, refuses to have anything to do with him. The other woman dies in child birth and TROY ask ROSE to take care of his child, RAYNELL. She accepts the child but renounces her duties as being ‘his woman’. Seven years pass and every gathers together for TROY funeral. Family deal with the unresolved issues they have with TROY and eventually have to let go of the past and move forward.
PlaywrightAugust Wilson is an American playwright. His literary legacy is the ten play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the twentieth century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson
Production History
Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, California September 2006-October 2006
“Time has enhanced the luster of "Fences." Dozens of dysfunctional-family dramas have come and gone since its 1987 Pulitzer win, but August Wilson's tragedy of a working man at war with his family and his own identity circa 1957 stands apart thanks to its distinctive lyricism and theatricality and its unforgettable central character”
Geva Theatre Rochester, New York May 2009-June 2009
“…one of the most engaging productions I've seen on the Geva stage.”
Penumbra Theatre Company Saint Paul, Minnesota August 2008-September 2008
“Wilson’s words have power and motion and a driving force that makes Fences a real thrill to watch in action.”
Angus Bowmer Theatre Ashland, Oregon Febuary 2008-July 2008
“August Wilson's magnificent "Fences" reminds us where we've been, how far we've come and the limitless possibilities of where we can go.”
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre San Francisco, California March 2008 - April 2008
“…most commercially successful play in the cycle”
Things to do and Think About
1. When building and designing the set, what was the greatest challenge for the designers?
2. (For the director) Did you want the audience to be sympathetic toward Troy? Why?
3. Which character was the most difficult to portray through directorial choices ?
4. What reasoning led you to have Gabriel portrayed in that way directorially?
5. Have you directed this play before and if you have what changes have you made to the production?
Additional References
Homepage for August Wilson
http://www.augustwilson.net/
This website has a archive of primary document by August Wilson and would be helpful to understand the works and ideas of Wilson from previous works he has done.
The Hill District History
http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n4.html
This website is an Q&A setup of frequently asked questions of the Hill District. The setting of Fences is in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA and this website would help understand the world of the play.
Negro League Players
http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/players/players_index.html
This website gives a list of famous negro baseball players and their information. The play makes a lot of references to players within the Negro League of that time and Troy used to play in the Negro Leagues.
Civil Rights Timeline
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html
This website gives a timeline of significant invents during civil rights. The time that the play is set is during civil rights era.
Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/awilson.html
A study guide and informing website for teachers who want to experience Fences in an education setup.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Producing Play Statement
As good as August Wilson’s Fences is textually, the script poses some problems that directors and designers have to collaborate together to solve. One of the problems is the over all layout of the set. There are scenes that take place on porch of the house, in the yard of the house and in the alley next the house. Since the house is the main focus of the play, how will the house be positioned on stage and how much space will the house take up? How will the set affect the blocking and will it be too cluttered? Another problem to consider is the Gabriel’s dance at the end of the play. Will the actor improvise the whole segment or will it be choreographed? If it is choreographed, what kind of dance style will it be and which choreographer will the director hire? Another issue is casting actors for Troy, Gabriel and Rose. Are the actors required to have a singing background or will a voice coach be needed? Finally, will age be an issue when the director cast Raynell. Will the director use a child actress to portray Raynell or an older actress? These are things to consider when performing a production of Fences. If a production of this show was included in the 2010-2011 UTC season, there will a few problems our staff, faculty and students have to address. One of them is whether to have the show in main stage or showcase. Main stage is for a larger audience and includes not only students and faculty on campus but the natives of Huntsville, Texas. Will this play draw the attention of the residence of Huntsville and does that make a difference? Showcase is usually for shows that are smaller audience and may be placed there because of the content of the play. Another question is Fences ‘content friendly’ in this time and for this location? For portraying Raynell, will the director have a student from the Sam Houston play her or will they find a child of that age within the local area? If the director is cast age specific for the child, like Penny did for The Full Monty, will special permission from their guardian be required? Finally, who will direct the show? Since it’s a ‘black’ play, will Kandice and Bill take the position as director or does that even matter? Does Fences call for a music director as result of the songs Troy, Gabriel and Rose sing? Many theatre companies performing this production deal with the problems differently and find different solutions. The Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California addressed the set layout issue by making the whole set consisting of only the front porch of the house. As a result it pushed all the action downstage toward the audience. In another situation, the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Company's production of Fences address the issue of casting Raynell's character using an actual girl or an older woman portraying a girl. This theatre company decided to use seven year old, Sarah Jordan to play the part of Raynell. Another issue that one production had to face was Wilson's only rule for the production of his plays was only using a black director to direct his plays. However, Geva Theatre had to ask for special permission from August Wilson's widow for their white director, Mark Cuddy to direct the show. Different productions lead to different interpretation of the play which lead to use of different theatrical elements within the production of the play. As a result, some of the choices that theatre companies make with Fences generate good or bad reactions out of critic. One critic was confused about 'dog barking' sound effects Penumbra used every time Troy talked about his past struggles to survive. This ambiguous choice left the critics and possibly the audience confused. Another critic for Geva's production of Fences, didn't have any objections to having a white director and actually found in enlightening. Another critic enjoyed the choice of having the front porch of the house the main set on stage and pushing all the action to the front. The critic for Pasadena Playhouse actually found it intimate for the audience.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Producing the Play
Producing Organization:Pasadena PlayhouseTheatre: Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena, California
September 2006-October 2006
Director: Sheldon Epps
Designers:Sets, Gary L. Wissmann
lighting, Paulie Jenkins
costumes, Dana Rebecca Woods
sound, Pierre Dupree
But the real acting surprise is Orlando Jones as Troy's war-wounded brother, who now believes he is the Archangel Gabriel. Unhampered by this symbolic baggage, Jones demonstrates an intensity and emotional accessibility hitherto unhinted-at in a score of movie and TV comedies. Brain-damaged characters usually suffer as thesps go overboard on physical and vocal quirks, but Jones' Gabriel is a model of expressiveness and precise choices.
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117931456.html?categoryid=33&cs=1
The single-set porch and yard literally function as a stage for Troy's stories, told with such animation and force by Fishburne that the audience feels present within the Maxson's property. To further facilitate that intimacy, Gary L. Wissmann's scenic design pushes the action downstage: the porch ends near center stage, and the yellow, thatch lawn rakes downward toward the front row. Additionally, the mostly realistic set reveals a secret from the start: an expressionistic two-foot-wide crack runs horizontally across the two-story Maxson house, splitting the top and bottom halves and announcing that this home is already broken. Upstage, some Hill District tenements appear, but their visual separation keeps them distanced from our minds. Unlike Miller's A View from a Bridge, Fences remains a strictly family affair here, without anyone from the tenements witnessing Troy's wrestling with devils and death. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/theatre_journal/v059/59.2shaw.html
Producing Organization: Geva TheatreTheatre: Geva Theatre
Rochester, New York
May 2009-June 2009
Director: Mark Cuddy
Designers: Set: Shaun Motley
Costumes: Emilio Sosa
Lighting: Dawb Chiang
Sound: Ian Hildreth
Tony Todd, with his unforgettable, modulated, gravelly voice, was a superbly physical Troy Maxson. He had his audience in the palm of his hand from the opening scene in which he and Wiley Moore (as Bono) drink whiskey and Troy brags about his wife and their vigor as lovers. Like Troy Maxson, Todd is a master storyteller; in one of the most unforgettable scenes in this show, Troy reminisces about his abuse at the hands of his own father. Todd is known for his movie roles (Candyman, The Rock), but he is a first-rate actor, and here in Rochester he left nothing of August Wilson’s script on the page.
http://emsworth.wordpress.com/2009/07/03/august-wilsons-fences-at-geva-theatre-in-rochester/
Pittsburgh's Hill District in 1957 provides the setting for the story, and designer Shaun Motley provides the scenery, an immersive set made up of large-scale archival photos that act as a backdrop to the Maxsons' towering, three-dimensional house. "Fences" is all about metaphors - the fences of the title, the baseball themes that pepper the script the most obvious of them - and the set is one itself. On the one side of the stage stands a tree with a baseball tied to it, a ball that clearly saw a lot of use in its day, but which pointedly gets little action during the play. On the other side of the set three posts stick up, waiting for the fence that will be a long time coming. It's carefree dreams vs. work-a-day realities, and for Troy Maxson, the latter have become too stifling.
http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/entertainment/stage/2009/05/THEATER-REVIEW-Fences/
Producing Organization: Penumbra Theatre CompanyTheatre: Minnesota Theatre
Saint Paul, Minnesota
August 2008-September 2008
Director: Lou Bellamy
Designers: C. Lance Brockman (Scenic Designer)
Don Darnutzer (Lighting Designer)
Martin Gwinup (Sound Designer)
Mathew J. LeFebvre (Costume Designer)
Like Gabriel, Troy wages his own spiritual battle in Fences; throughout, the character is convinced he's fighting for his life with the angel of Death itself. What seems, at first, like just another colorful story crosses into the more ambiguous territory of shared delusion; more than once, the audience hears the sound of dogs (hell-hounds?) approaching and sees a ghostly light encroach upon the entrance to the house. Troy fights these harbingers off more than once in the course of the play, but still death touches him closely through the fates of others.
http://www.mnartists.org/article.do?rid=204607
Producing Organization:
Theatre: Angus Bowmer Theatre
Ashland, Oregon
Febuary 2008-July 2008
Director: Leah C. Gardiner
Designers: Scott Bradley, Set
Dawn Chiang, Light Design
Michael Keck, Sound
Charles Robinson plays Troy Maxson, a father figure of King Lear-like proportions, who struts and rages in his kingdom - a Pittsburgh home in the late '50s. Imperfect and endlessly interesting, Troy is a good man, a flawed man and a man who fights himself every day. Robinson gives a robust, deeply felt performance that balances beautifully with that of Shona Tucker as Troy's bright, grounded wife and Cameron Knight as Troy's beaten-down teenage son.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/20/DDIS11AJJQ.DTL
Scott Bradley's funky Pittsburgh Hill District set, lighting design by Dawn Chiang and Michael Keck's subtle and haunting music effectively complement the verbal fireworks.
Producing Organization: Lorraine Hansberry Theatre
Theatre: Lorraine Hansberry Theatre
San Francisco, California
March 2008 - April 2008Director: Stanley E. Williams.
Designers: Set, Robert Broadfoot
Costumes, Rose Plant
Williams heightens the parallels to Arthur Miller's masterpiece with his staging of Troy's long speeches - reminiscences of hardships, tall tales of wrestling with Death, the terrible story of his father. Williams treats them like Miller's use of Loman's flashbacks and fantasies, to break up the realism. As each speech begins, Jacob Petrie's lights dim to an artificial dusk, isolating Troy in a hazy spotlight, with Morris standing downstage center, speaking directly to the audience.
It's a choice that separates Troy from the other characters, gives the speeches a slightly wearying uniformity and undermines the dramatic flow. "Fences" is firmly fixed in its time - as reflected in Robert Broadfoot's finely detailed backyard set and Rose Plant's period costumes - and much of its power derives from its specificity. Even Wilson's usual oddball shamanistic character is reduced, for that purpose, to the relatively minor role of Troy's brain-damaged war veteran brother (a sweetly childlike Hosea Simmons Sr.)http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/24/DDRUVMCPA.DTL
Acting is strong all-around, particularly when the long setup of the first act pays off explosively in the second, as consequences of Troy’s actions, both long ago and more recent, begin to reverberate among his loved ones.
Alex Morris (who appeared on TV’s “Malcolm in the Middle”) provides the show’s strong anchor, showcasing Troy’s conflicts and complexities, and how his pride has blinded him to the needs of others.
Elizabeth Carter as Troy’s wife Rose shines particularly at the show’s climax, as does Axel Alvin Jr. as their son Cory, who’s fenced in by Troy’s negativity about his future as an athlete. As Gabriel, Troy’s trumpet-playing brother whose war wounds had long-lasting mental effects, Hosea Simmons Jr. stands out
http://www.examiner.com/a-1302718~Review__Lorraine_Hansberry_Theatre_builds_strong__Fences_.html
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Statement
The setting of “Fences” by August Wilson takes place in Pittsburgh and specifically in the Hill district in 1957. This is the same district August Wilson himself grew up in and set the rest of his Pittsburgh cycle plays. The Hills is a collection of predominantly black neighborhoods and west of the downtown Pittsburgh. In the year 1957, many events affected the world of August Wilson’s “Fences”. Each event that happened within the year molded the attitudes of the inhabitants of Hill District.
An abandonment of dependence and practice of independence has a significant hold on characters like Troy, Cory and other characters within the play. Around this time a conglomerate of British colonies have declared their independence and are recognized as a country named Ghana. The fail attempt of France, Britain and Israel trying to take over Egypt sends a message out to Americans. An independent attitude is within the mist. There is a need for one to make ‘their own way’. This attitude finally trickles down to African Americans communities. Many Blacks were denied service by white owned businesses. Blacks attempted to seek assistance from White America only to be discriminated against. As result, Black owned businesses began to form and is kept within the Black community. Instead of asking for outside help, help was found within the community. Keeping business with the race formed stronger bonds within the community, which proves beneficial in the long run. Wilson touches upon this development with in the play.
During 1957, Dwight Eisenhower is the President of the United States of America. As a supporter of Brown versus the Topeka Board of Education, Eisenhower proposed Civil Rights Acts 1957 and 1960, which were later approved. During Eisenhower’s Presidency, Governor Orville Faubus of Arkansas calls the National Guard to prevent Black student from enrolling to Center High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This incident became known as the Little Rock Crisis. Thousands of Black Americans across the United States cried out at the ill treatment and lack of equality. At this time Black Americans had enough of the segregation and discrimination and challenged social structure. They refused to be silent and brought these grievances to America’s full attention. One figure served as the voice to the African Americans named Martin Luther King, Jr. His passive protest of the injustices upon the Black minorities became know not only nationwide but worldwide as well.
The Cold War continues and more missiles are made which results in more fallout shelters. Self-preservation takes hold of the majority of Americans. Not every moment is guaranteed and survival is the main goal. Combine the need to survive with the Hill district’s renewal urban projects and the collapse of the steel industry with the Cold War scare. The need to survive takes precedent and luxury and finer things in life fade away like a dream. Social status luxury is no longer important but working hard enough to put food on the table and providing a roof over one and his family’s head becomes the main goal.
Dreams aren’t always acquired. The need to escape the constant battle of paying the mortgage and being ‘the man of the house’ is met through many different hobbies. Hobbies such as the local lottery in the Hill called numbers. Many Blacks sought the get rich quick scheme and wasted their time and money. Others sought escape through Jazz music. Jazz wasn’t only a form of expression of the times but a way to keep people moving forward. The churches founded in the Hill community helped those in need and was very influential during hard times.
The Hill had a negro baseball team called the Pittsburgh Crawfords that played in the Negro Leagues. One of the baseball players on the team, Satchel Paige, eventually played for the Major Leagues. Blacks are finally being recognized within professional sports and black pride is reaffirmed.
Fighting for civil rights, striving for survival and defining independence are a few of things found within the world of “Fences”. These things influence the ideals and attitudes of the characters which steers their actions. The inner turmoil comes from their experiences within their past, present and what they believe is to come.
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