Director/producer fills out the role of Troy in "Fences"

Ron Himes watched Fences on Broadway, produced it in St. Louis and directed it in Knoxville, Tenn. After nearly four decades in theater, however, he never expected to play the lead in August Wilsons Pulitzer Prize-winning play anywhere.

When Elliot Wasserman, director for New Harmony Theatres production, asked him to play Troy, the embittered ex-ballplayer at the center of Wilsons story, I was very surprised, said Himes.

The role qualifies as monumental on several levels, Himes explained.

Photo by Jason Clark, 2013 Jason Clark

JASON CLARK / COURIER & PRESS Ron Himes plays the role of Troy as USIs New Harmony Theatre gets ready to produce Fences, August Wilsons Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about stolen and forfeited dreams in an African American household in the 1950s. Fences, directed by Elliot Wasserman, runs July 5-7 and July 12-14.

Photo by Jason Clark, 2013 Jason Clark

JASON CLARK / COURIER & PRESS Ron Himes, left, plays the role of Troy and Marcus Callender plays Cory as USIs New Harmony Theatre gets ready to open Fences, August Wilsons Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about stolen and forfeited dreams in an African American household in the 1950s. Fences, directed by Elliot Wasserman, runs July 5-7 and July 12-14.

Physically, Troy is a large man of substantial girth and strength. Once a standout baseball slugger, he carries the weight of bitter years spent emptying brimming barrels into garbage trucks in the job he settled for after the racial barrier shut out his major league dreams.

Hes also an angry, blustery orator whose command of the language ability to tell a story make him one of the most eloquent characters on the American stage, Himes said during a recent break from rehearsals.

And then theres the Jones factor. When Himes saw James Earl Jones play the part on Broadway, the barrel-chested actor with the rumbling baritone was bigger than life, said Himes. He put his stamp on the role.

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Director/producer fills out the role of Troy in "Fences"