Theatre Memphis Takes On “Fences”

Theatre Memphis 2017 – 2018 season will include the production of “Fences”. With the popularity of the movie that earn Viola Davis an Oscar for her role as “Rose”, its in line to be one of Theatre Memphis most poplar production. Not just for theatre goers but also auditions.

Memphis has some of the most talented actors and actress in the South. It will be interesting to see who will win out the role of “Rose”. Rose is a role that will be the glue that hold the family together but at her own expense. This will be mostly a male dominated cast with only a couple of female roles.

Troy and Rose talks to Gabriel in the movie “Fences”.

The two most powerful male roles will be Troy, who was played by Denzel Washington and Troy’s son Cory who was played by Jovan Adepo in the movie.

There will be other small but significant roles like Troy’s best friend Jim Bono played by Stephen Henderson and Troy’s brother Gabriel played by Mykelti Williamson in the movie. Gabriel is the brother that seems to have lost all sense of reality but at the end, left movie goers wonder if he really was all that delusional.

So, who’s going to direct this production? It needs to be someone that bring out the dynamics of this urban family by showing the struggles of a man along with the strength of his wife.

Fence is a  screenplay written by August Wilson that chronicles the life of an African-American working class father trying to raise his son along with his wife. He harbors deep resentment over his past endeavors in the baseball league. His teenage son’s athlete talent in baseball only fuels his resentment.

Jim Bono talks with Troy on the job in the movie “Fences”.

This production will be played on the Theatre Memphis Lohrey Stage which is the larger of the two stage areas. Theatre Memphis is known for it’s elaborate set design and lighting. So, it will be exciting to see how they will design the urban backdrop of this production.

Theatre Memphis is location in east Memphis at 630 Perkins Extd, Memphis, TN 38117. You can visit their website at theatrememphis.org