{"id":33356,"date":"2014-09-17T14:43:40","date_gmt":"2014-09-17T18:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=33356"},"modified":"2022-09-29T12:40:06","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T16:40:06","slug":"wright-state-theatre-opens-2014-15-season-with-august-wilsons-fences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2014\/09\/17\/wright-state-theatre-opens-2014-15-season-with-august-wilsons-fences\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State Theatre opens 2014\u201315 season with August Wilson\u2019s \u2018Fences\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wright State Theatre opens its 40th season with August Wilson\u2019s landmark drama \u201cFences\u201d in the Festival Playhouse Sept 18\u201328.<\/p><\/div>\n

Wright State University Theatre will launch its 40th season with August Wilson\u2019s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama \u201cFences\u201d Sept. 18\u201328.<\/span><\/p>\n

The play is directed by Sheila Ramsey and W. Stuart McDowell, Ph.D., chair and artistic director of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Performances will take place in the \u00a0Creative Art Center’s\u00a0Festival Playhouse on Sept. 18, 24 and 25 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m.; and Sept. 21, 27 and 28 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

“Fences” debuted on Broadway in 1987, winning both a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play.<\/span><\/p>\n

McDowell said that he and Ramsey saw \u201cFences\u201d the year it opened Broadway with James Earl Jones and Courtney B. Vance.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the stage in New York it had a tremendous, immeasurable effect on my \u2014 and Sheila\u2019s \u2014 understanding of what great theatre can do, and the depth of the story of this family in Pittsburgh in 1957 is truly profound,\u201d McDowell said. \u201cSheila and I hope that some of this energy and truth will be conveyed in the Wright State Theatre production, which we\u2019re dedicating to Ruby Dee, longtime supporter and collaborator in Wright State Theatre\u2019s productions of \u20181913: The Great Dayton Flood.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Set in the 1950s, \u201cFences\u201d explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations, among other themes. It is the sixth in Wilson’s 10-part \u201cPittsburgh Cycle.\u201d<\/p>\n

The play\u2019s focus is Troy, a 53-year-old who struggles with providing for his family as a trash collector. Troy was once a great baseball player, but because the color barrier had not yet been broken in Major League Baseball, was unable to play professionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the current racial climate in the country following the shooting of several young black men, I am proud of our Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures for presenting a play that has at its center an African-American family set in the pre-civil rights era,\u201d said Kimberly Barrett, vice president for multicultural affairs and community engagement at Wright State. \u201cIt provides as excellent cultural bridge for understanding the enduring effects of racial discrimination by providing a glimpse into our not so distant past where discrimination was de rigueur.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ramsey\u2019s previous productions at Wright State include \u201cA Soldier\u2019s Play,\u201d \u201cThe Story,\u201d \u201cOne Flew Over the Cuckoo\u2019s Nest\u201d and Wilson\u2019s \u201cThe Piano Lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n

McDowell, whose previous Wright State credits include \u201cPhantom of the Opera,\u201d \u201cShowboat\u201d and last season\u2019s \u201cLes Miserables,\u201d is beginning his third decade as department chair with this production.<\/p>\n

On the stage, the production features Law Dunford (Javert in \u201cLes Miserables\u201d) as Troy Maxson, Brandon Kinley (\u201cLes Miserables\u201d) as Jim Bono, Jasmine Easler (\u201c1913: The Great Dayton Flood\u201d) as Rose, Korey Smith as Lyons, Christian Henderson as Gabriel, Tyrell Reggins (\u201cLes Miserables\u201d) as Cory, James Robertson (\u201cSwing\u201d), Ocean Brown and E\u2019Dray Caldwell as Raynell.<\/p>\n

\u201cFences\u201d also features a set designed by senior Ryan Sess (\u201cThe Wild Party\u201d), lighting by Samantha Jelinek (\u201cAll In the Timing,\u201d \u201cThe Magic Fire\u201d), costumes by Mary Beth McLaughlin (\u201cMiracle Worker,\u201d \u201c1913: The Great Dayton Flood\u201d), properties by John Lavarnway and sound design by Emily Hutton.<\/p>\n

The production is co-sponsored by Wright State\u2019s Bolinga Black Cultural Resource Center.<\/p>\n

The play includes adult language and situations, and may not be suitable for children under 12.<\/p>\n

For tickets and theatre information, call the Box Office at (937) 775-2500 or visit Theatre Program website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wright State Theatre\u2019s 40th season continues<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wright State Theatre\u2019s 2014\u201315 season continues with Gilbert and Sullivan\u2019s \u201cHot Mikado\u201d Oct. 23\u2013Nov. 9 in the Festival Theatre.<\/p>\n

The season also includes: \u201cRomeo and Juliet,\u201d Nov. 14\u201323; \u201cPride and Prejudice,\u201d Jan. 29\u2013Feb. 8; \u201cPeter Pan,\u201d March 19\u2013April 12; and “Sondheim on Sondheim,\u201d April 17\u201326.<\/p>\n

Details are available on the Theatre Program website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t