For Immediate Release
February 4, 2016
AUGUST WILSON’S PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PLAY FENCES COMES TO THE INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE
Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) brings August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fences, to stage in a powerful journey of African-American life in the 1950’s.The production comes to the OneAmerica Mainstage March 9 through April 3.
Fences tells the heartbreaking story of sanitation worker Troy Maxson, a former Negro league all-star baseball player whose opportunity to play in the Major Leagues was thwarted by racism in the pre-Jackie Robinson era.
Struggling to provide for his family and conflicted with the temptations of life, Troy works to protect himself from what threatens his livelihood. As his world seems to crumble around him he does what he can to survive.
“This explosively tender story of American life shows what can happen when passion and thundering rage collide,” said Janet Allen, IRT Executive Artistic Director and CEO. “We’re pleased to bring Fences back to stage after 20 years because its story is just as relevant now, as it ever was.”
Fences made its first debut at the IRT in 1996, where David Alan Anderson played Lyons, son of Troy Maxson. This season, Anderson will play Troy himself.
“Twenty years ago, the idea never crossed my mind [that he’d one day play the role of Troy]; it was so far down the road,” said David Alan Anderson. “Playing Troy has been a great challenge made easier by the fact that the director of Fences, Lou Bellamy, and I share similar thoughts about how the character should be portrayed.”
What is arguably one of Wilson’s most prominent plays in his epic cycle, Fences is universal enough to touch a chord in every human heart (The New York Times).
DETAILS
WHAT: Fences by August Wilson
WHERE: Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140. W. Washington Street
WHEN: March 9 – April 4
COST: Adult pricing: $25-59 | Student Pricing: $20
RUNNUNG TIME: Two hours, plus one 15-minute intermission
AGE: Recommended for grades 9-12 due to strong language and mature themes
Learn more
CAST
JAMES T. ALFRED | Lyons
DAVID ALAN ANDERSON |Troy Maxson
SIMEEYAH GRACE BAKER | Raynell
TERRY BELLAMY | Gabriel
MARCUS NAYLOR | Bono
EDGAR SANCHEZ | Cory
KIM STAUNTON | Rose
CREATIVE TEAM
LOU BELLAMY | Director
NATHAN GARRISON | Stage Manager
VICKI SMITH | Scenic Designer
ATTHEW J. LEFEBVRE | Costume Designer
DON DARNUTZER | Lighting Designer
BRIAN JEROME PETERSON | Sound Designer
SPECIAL EVENTS
MARCH 11 | OPENING NIGHT
Features a champagne toast with the cast after the performance.
MARCH 12 | POST-SHOW DISCUSSION
MARCH 20 | IRT TEA TALK FEATURING FORMER BAT BOY FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS CLOWNS, CLIFF ROBINSON & CHIEF CURATOR OF HISTORY AND CULTURE, DALE OGDEN
Snack on cookies and coffee as Dale Ogden and Cliff Robinson describe what African-American sports culture was like in Indianapolis circa 1950, while Robinson reminisces his childhood serving as an Indianapolis Clowns bat boy.
MARCH 24 | COOKIES & COFFEE MATINEE & BACKSTAGE TOUR
Cookies from Vanilla Bean Bakery and coffee before and during the intermission of your performance.
MARCH 29 | HAPPY HOUR & POST-SHOW DISCUSSION
Complimentary drinks from Sun King Brewing and New Day Mead plus 1/2 priced bar drinks all night long!
MARCH 30 | DINNER AND A SHOW WITH THE OCEANAIRE
Hand selected, three-course dinner for $75 per person plus a performance of Fences. Reserve by calling the ticket office at 317-635-5252.
PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 PM
Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 PM
Friday, March 11 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 12 at 5 PM
Sunday, March 13 at 2 PM
Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 PM
Friday, March 18 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 19 at 5 PM
Saturday, March 19 at 9 PM
Sunday, March 20 at 2 PM *ASL/AD Performance
Sunday, March 20 at 6 PM
Thursday, March 24 at 2 PM
Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 26 at 1 PM
Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30 PM
Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, March 31 at 7:30 PM
Friday, April 1 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 2 at 4 PM
Saturday, April 2 at 8 PM
Sunday, April 3 at 2 PM
Founded in 1971, the IRT is the largest and fully professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and has grown into one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of IRT is to produce top-quality, professional theatre and related activities, providing experiences that will engage, surprise, challenge and entertain people throughout their lifetimes, helping us build a vital and vibrant community.
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