Family drama Fences begins Aug. 29 at Actors Warehouse

Published: Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 1:43 p.m.

A glimpse of life for an African-American family man struggling for justice and fair treatment in 1950s America comes through in Fences, an award-winning family drama that kicks off the new season at the Actors Warehouse on Friday.

Written by award-winning playwright August Wilson and directed by Carol Velasques Richardson, Fences explores the life and relationships of Troy Maxson, a complex 53-year-old husband and father who is embittered by the hardships, injustices and unfairness he has endured in his life.

Wilson writes with a sense of commitment to the African-American way of life, commitment to the African-American life and spirituality, Richardson said.

Wilson (1945-2005) is an acclaimed American playwright who wrote about the African-American experience. Fences, which is one of a series of three plays called The Pittsburgh Cycle, won a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. James Earl Jones originated Maxsons role when the play opened in 1987, earning him a Tony Award for best actor. A production of Fences featuring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis won three Tony Awards in 2010 for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Richardson said Fences, which is set in 1950s Pittsburgh, explores manhood, family and self-identity. Richardson said Maxson, played by Stan Richardson, is the voice of the play, while Rose, played by Rhonda Wilson, is the glue that keeps the family together.

Maxson has had a hard life. He escaped an abusive father, spent time in prison, found success in the Negro Baseball League and then was denied by racism the opportunity to achieve his dream of playing in the major leagues.

This is a timeless piece people will enjoy, Velasques Richardson said. They will recognize the language and the costume of people sitting in the yard together, telling stories, playing cards and dominoes. Wilson does a beautiful job of capturing the feeling of family and community.

Maxson is a very challenging role; a character who is fueled by his unfulfilled dream of playing baseball in the major leagues, and his feelings that the color barrier kept him out of baseball, Stan Richardson said.

He is a very complex character dealing with a lot of demons from his past, he said.

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Family drama Fences begins Aug. 29 at Actors Warehouse