If you go
› What: “Fences”› Where: Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.› When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 15-16, 22-23 and March 1-2, 8-9; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 17 and 24 and March 3 and 10; 7 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 21 and 28, March 7› Admission: $23-$30› For more information: 423-267-8534
Playwright August Wilson won two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama for his series of 10 plays chronicling the African-American experience in the 20th century.
Chattanooga Theatre Centre has committed to produce Wilson’s canon of 10 plays, known as the American Century Cycle, staging one work per year through 2028. The CTC launches that endeavor Friday, Feb. 15, with the opening of Wilson’s “Fences.”
Mateen Muhammad El, left, as Troy and Caleb Golson as his son, Cory, have a combative relationship in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s production of “Fences.” / Cansler Photography“Fences” is the story of Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball league who now works as a garbage man in 1950s Pittsburgh, holding court and lecturing about life from the chair in his backyard. Due to his race, Troy was denied his shot at the big league, so when his teenage son, Cory, wants his own chance to excel in athletics, Troy’s bitterness threatens to tear them apart.
Troy draws a line between himself and those closest to him, fencing himself apart from them. Those people include Cory, whom Troy discourages having potential for college football recruitment; musician Lyons, Troy’s mild-mannered son by a previous marriage; brother Gabriel, whose wartime injuries have rendered him mentally impaired; and best friend Bono, his sidekick since younger days.
Troy shares his life with his loving, stoic, tireless wife Rose, whose steadfast devotion is tested when he has an affair – and a child – with another woman.
The symbolic fence alludes to the barrier middle-aged Troy procrastinates building in the small backyard of his modest home, as well as life obstacles he has never managed to surmount in the pre-Civil Rights age.
As one character in Wilson’s masterpiece says, “Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.”
Directed by Ricardo C. Morris, who directed this play 20 years ago at the CTC, the cast includes Carlos Davis (Bono), E’tienne Easley (Rose), William Elston (Lyons), Caleb Golson (Cory), Nyla Jacks (Raynell), Mateen Muhammad El (Troy) and Jeffrey Pinkerton (Gabriel).
The creative team includes guest artists Julius Johnson, lighting design, and Tinita Coulter, costume design. Scenic design is by CTC technical director N. Eric Knauss.
“Fences” will be presented in the Mildred M. Montague Circle Theatre. Audiences are advised the play contains adult language and mature themes.
For more information: TheatreCentre.com.
‘Fences’ performance benefits Performing Arts League
The Performing Arts League is hosting “A Dramatic Affair” on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., which includes dinner and a performance of “Fences.”Performing Arts League is a nonprofit whose mission is to support local youth involved in the performing arts through performance opportunities, scholarship awards and private-instruction tuition assistance.The benefit will start at 5:30 p.m. with a wine bar, followed by a seated dinner at 6:15. Following the performance, the fundraiser will conclude with a dessert reception with the cast.The $65 ticket also includes event parking.The deadline to make a reservation is Friday, Feb. 15, via palchattanooga.org or by mailing a check to Performing Arts League, P.O. Box 4389, Chattanooga, TN 37405.