August Wilson American Classic Has Opened 2007 At Hartford Stage

HARTFORD — August Wilson’s compelling family drama Fences is receiving its first Hartford area production at Hartford Stage. Wilson, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who died in 2005, was the foremost African-American theater voice of the 20th Century, with a ten-play cycle that chronicled the life of black America in each of the ten decades from the 1900s to the 1990s.

Jonathan Wilson, an acclaimed interpreter of the playwright’s work, is directing the production, which will play at the Tony Award-winning theater through February 11. Fences is being produced in association with the DallasTheatreCenter and Portland (OR) Center Stage, which will host transfers of the production in the spring.

In the play, the irascible Troy Maxson, a former heavy-hitter in the Negro Baseball League, has watched fame and success pass him by. When his son has an opportunity to succeed, Troy must decide if he will allow his son to swing for the fences.

The company of Fences is led by Wendell Wright as Troy, Wandachristine as his wife, Rose, and Rob Riley as their son, Cory.

Also in the cast are several Hartford Stage veterans.  Che Ayende, who plays Lyons, was previously seen at Hartford Stage in The Cook and has worked at Yale Rep in King Lear, Long Wharf in The Day the Bronx Died, and TheaterWorks in Spinning into Butter.

Don Mayo, who is returning to Hartford Stage to play Bono, was last seen here in Hartford Stage’s Martin Guerre. His Broadway credits include Man of la Mancha, Scarlet Pimpernel, and On the Town; he works frequently Off-Broadway and in regional theatre. Obie Award-winning actor Ray Anthony Thomas, who is playing Gabriel, previously worked at Hartford Stage in Spunk and Digging Eleven.

Hannah Maximin, a student from Stratford, is making her Hartford Stage debut.

Fences is directed by Jonathan Wilson, who returns to Hartford Stage, where he was Artist-in-Residence during the 2002-03 season. Mr Wilson previously directed Electra, Oedipus the King, Dutchman, From the Mississippi Delta and numerous Voices! readings at Hartford Stage. Off-Broadway he directed From the Mississippi Delta at Circle in the Square, and helmed the national tour of The Tap Dance Kid. He is a professor in the Theatre Department at LoyolaUniversity in Chicago, and has directed regionally at theatres across the country.

The design team for Fences includes Tony Award-winning Scenic Designer Scott Bradley. Lighting Design is by R. Lap-Chi Chu; Jacqueline Firkins designed the costumes and is also making her Hartford Stage debut; and sound design is by Jim Ragland.

Preview performances, with discounted tickets, will continue until January 17.

Tickets for Fences are $22 to $57. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more by calling 860-520-7244.

What a Rush! half-price tickets may be purchased, subject to availability, two hours before each performance in person at the box office only. Patrons must request What a Rush! tickets at the time of purchase to receive this discount.

Tickets for children and students are $10 off the full price when purchased in advance. Hartford Stage has wheelchair accessible seating, assistive listening devices and other amenities.

Evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7:30 pm and Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Matinee performances are Sundays and selected Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 pm. For a more specific schedule of performances, call the Hartford Stage box office at 860-527-5151 or visit HartfordStage.org.

The Lunchtime FreeView for Fences, a chance to see a free sneak peek of the production, will be held at noon on Friday, January 19.  The Pay What You Can Saturday matinee performance of Fences will be Saturday, January 20.

For more information, call the Hartford Stage box office. Hartford Stage is located at 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford with parking located in the MAT Garage, directly adjacent to the theatre. The theatre is accessible from I-84 and I-91.