The Seattle Rep comes full circle in their relationship with the work of August Wilson by remounting the first Wilson play they produced back in 1986, "Fences". And the show, now celebrating it's 25th anniversary, shows no sign of age or waning relevance.
The story revolves around Troy Maxon (powerfully played by James A. Williams), a garbage collector in the 1950's who allows his pride and his past to get in the way of his family's future. Troy's dream was to be a major league baseball player. But that dream was not entirely feasible for an aging African American back when he had his shot. So now when his 17 year old son wants to play football and has recruiters scouting him, Troy has trouble of letting go of his own prejudices in order to see how the world is changing. Add to all of Troy's challenges a wife with an even stronger will than his own, another son from his first wife who's just trying to make a life of own, a mentally challenged brother who keeps getting into trouble and he's still got to get that fence built. The show manages a lot of exposition in Act One but then once you're settled in your seat for Act Two, hits you with a freight train.
Stephen Tyrone Williams and Kim Staunton in FENCES" width="294" height="212" />Williams' performance is nothing short of spectacular. His drive, determination and focus throughout keeps the play moving and engaging. Williams is no stranger to Wilson's work having performed in the Rep's production of "Radio Golf" among other of Wilson's canon over his career. And he shows that he can handle these rich characters with force and heart. Stephen Tyrone Williams his riveting as Troy's younger son, Cory. He manages to infuse his performance with a quiet seething anger as his father goes about crushing his dreams of a better life. And I have to mention a stunning performance from Kim Staunton as Troy's wife, Rose. Stanton turns in a strong, stirring and thoughtful performance and has the most incredible character arc in the piece. She was a joy to watch on stage as she weaved together a fascinating and complex character and her explosive monologue in Act Two will leave you breathless.
Brilliantly directed by Timothy Bond who worked closely with Wilson several times before he died in 2005, Bond shows himself a consummate storyteller and infuses the play with just the right amount of reverence for the work and the man. And with a gorgeous set from William Bloodgood, the show is an all around solid piece of work.
The Rep has the singular distinction of having produced all ten of the plays in Wilson's "Century Cycle" starting with "Fences" back in 1986, as well as Wilson's one man show "How I Learned What I Learned" in 2003. And while I don't think this marks the beginning of their remount of the entire cycle (although I wish they would), I do find it to be a fitting cap and honor to their relationship with one of America's greatest playwrights. The Rep also has the distinction (in my opinion) of producing a season filled with some of the best theater out there. There has not been one bad show in the lot and they only have one left (the eagerly awaited "An Iliad"). To use the baseball analogy, they are on their way to pitching a perfect game and you'll want to make sure you catch every inning.
"Fences" plays at The Seattle Repertory Theatre through April 18th. For tickets or information contact the Rep box office at 206-443-2222 or visit them online at www.seattlerep.org.
