Join the conversation - tell us what theatre means to you and add your thoughts about our production of Fences.
How does this story - set in the 1950's - resonate today? Why do you think Rose wanted the fence? Did you attend a discussion before or after the performance and how did that add to your experience?
How does this story - set in the 1950's - resonate today? Why do you think Rose wanted the fence? Did you attend a discussion before or after the performance and how did that add to your experience?
Click here to comment
[Opening Night Addendum]
I had to add to the post this morning, after an incredible opening last night. It was a great performance, with a packed house full of staff, friends and family, board and subscribers, including Doris Kearns Goodwin, Phylicia Rashad, and Keith David. The after party was hosted by our friends at Legal Seafoods. Here is a small sample of what I found on Facebook (and my email) this morning:
"Congratulations to the entire Huntington Family -- tonight's Opening of "Fences" was truly magical. Phylicia Rashad, Keith David, and an even more star-studded audience, along with an amazing cast and an incredibly talented Director provided one of the best nights of theatre...I can't wait to see it again and feel blessed to be a part of the family." Meg Wieder
"What a fantastic show! Congrats, Huntington cast, crew, and staff and thank you for such a wonderful night at the theatre." Erica Spyres
"...what a fantastic season opening last night! 'Fences' was brilliant..." Justin Seward
"WOW. All personal bias aside, @Huntington's production of 'Fences' is absolutely breathtaking. Do yourself a favor and see it." Thom Dunn
"loved August Wilson's Fences at the Huntington..." Dina Croce
"cried through the entire second act. held my breath, clenched my fists, frozen." Penney Pinnette
"It was the most amazing performance... I've seen the show twice before including on Broadway with James Earl Jones and I enjoyed this performance more - it came across as more human and multi-dimensional than in a Broadway theater. Kudos to the cast for their honest, committed performances." David Miller
""You have to take the crookeds with the straights." Tired as hell, but had a great dinner/night at the theatre" Amanda Rota Pyne
Lisa McColgan "got a big hug from Doris Kearns Goodwin, helped Phylicia Rashad through the Opening Night throng to the box office, and is full of delicious cupcakes. She'll stick with nonprofit theatre, thanks."
Please tell us about your night at Fences: Click here to comment
Fences by August Wilson, directed by Kenny Leon, at the Huntington Theatre Company's mainstage - Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Buy tickets online or call our box office at 617 266-0800. Box Office locations and hours click here.
11 comments:
Fences was a wonderfully acted and produced play. The dialog sparkled with poetic exchanges. The actors brought to life the expectations, tensions and contradictions of their characters. The stagecraft put me in a Pittsburgh Hill district of a bygone era. Keep up the great work!
I saw Fences on Broadway with James Earl Jones in the 80s. The Huntington's performance was far more compelling (or maybe I'm older and wiser). Either way, it was a great night of theater. Kudos to all!
I've seen most of the Huntington's productions of Wilson's works. (Wish he were still alive to give us more.) "Jitney" was the most stirring for me and my husband but "Fenches" is right up there. How I ached for those characters.
I've read the play several times and was glad to see it on stage. I think the cast did a great job. The seats allowed for a perfect view of the stage. I would recommend this play to everyone.
The actors were outstanding, the content of the play was magnificent. No wonder it won a Tony! I highly recommend this.
August Wilson is an American icon and director Kenny Leon has truly done him well. The acting ranged from solid to great. And the set was incredible for its sense of reality. A must see.
This was by far the best production I have seen at the Huntington for the past 10 years or more.
Thanks for the great comments everyone. We love hearing how our work touches your lives.
It's easy to leave your name if you like - just click the name/url button in the Choose an identity and enter your name. You don't need to enter a website. No sign up or log in required!
After my father died, and after his best friend's wife died, Mom and the friend married and I suddenly acquired five new siblings. One of them, and her husband, came to Boston this past weekend and she had the inspiration to see "Fences" while in town. We all went, on a rainy Sunday matinee, and were utterly devastated. As we walked out, I told my new step-sister, "Well, you've now met my Dad." She replied, "No, you've met MY Dad." All of us are ordinary middle-class white folks, but the HUMANITY of "Fences" shook us to the core. Oh, the power of live theater.
Today's student matinee performance was a wonderful example of the power of theatre to reach people and make them reflect on life. My students were spellbound, and I heard more than one talk about using their Dramatic Returns card to come back to FENCES with a parent or friend. Congrats to all on such a beautiful production.
I took a group of 40+ students to the matinee yesterday and I must say after taking kids to plays for the past 10 yrs this is the most satisfied I have ever been. Everything was top notch from the house staff to the production itself. Great acting, great design on all levels, great production quality.
I was particularly moved by the scene when Troy tells Rose that he will be a father again and Gabriel shows up - The complexity that arises from ROse choosing to hide her true reaction to protect Gabriel from being exposed to her rage made that scene all the more powerful. I am still chewing on what it means - How Mr. WIlson had such deep understanding of how truly interconnected we all are - not just in direct behavior but in peripheral behavior as well. THe presence of someone can change a person's behavior in the most subtle and the most extreme ways. I have reflected on that scene as I teach in an elementary school and am often confronted with situations where I have to consider the innocent folks around me in the face of something that might be challenging or frustrating and I have to temper my reaction and take all into consideration . I appreciate how well the production was that I have clear memories of the story not as a play but as a series of incidents I somehow have in my own memory now - thanks
Post a Comment