Theater News

New Production of Fences to Play Hartford, Dallas, and Portland

August Wilson
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
August Wilson
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

A new production of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Fences will play Hartford Stage, January 11-February 11, the Dallas Theater Center, March 7-April 1, and Portland, Oregon’s Center Stage, April 10-May 6. The show, which is a co-production of the three theaters, will be directed by Jonathan Wilson.

Part of Wilson’s 10-play cycle set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Fences concerns a former baseball player turned garbage man and his contentious relationship with his family. The show’s cast will feature Wendell Wright (Troy), Wandachristine (Rose), Don Mayo (Bono), Ray Anthony Thomas (Gabriel), Rob Riley (Corey), Che Ayende (Lyons). A local girl in each city will be cast in the role of Raynell. Additional details will be announced at a later date.

The 1987 Broadway production of Fences won four Tony Awards, including Best Play. Earlier this year, there were two separate Los Angeles productions of the show, one starring Charlie Robinson (who won the Ovation Award as Best Actor) and one starring Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. Wilson died last year at age 60 from liver cancer.