Washington And Davis Talk FENCES To NY Times

By: Charlie Piane May. 21, 2010

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The first Broadway revival of August Wilson's 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play FENCES, starring two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington and also starring Tony Award-winner and Academy Award-nominee Viola Davis, FENCES is playing a strictly limited 13-week engagement at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, NYC). FENCES is directed by Kenny Leon.

Washington and Davis recently discussed their roles with the New York Times.

Asked about their nerves on the first day of rehearsals, Ms. Davis remembered feeling "panicked" - at which point Mr. Washington sprung from his chair and began imitating her pacing the room, flipping through an imaginary script. "She was like a little bee," he said midstride as she laughed delightedly, "all this feverish energy, to and fro, to and fro."

"Denzel, you started learning your lines weeks ahead of me!" Ms. Davis said before turning to a reporter and adding: "This is one very smart man."

Washington shares that he attended the original Broadway production of FENCES.

"That voice of James Earl Jones, that physical presence, filled the theater in a way that I've never experienced since," said Mr. Washington, now 55. "Sitting there, watching him, I never imagined I would play this role. Well, maybe I did, briefly. But -- "

"There's no way to prepare yourself to step into a work with such history," Ms. Davis continued.

To read the entire interview, click here.

In addition to Denzel Washington as Troy Maxson and Viola Davis as Rose Maxson, the cast features Chris Chalk as Cory, Stephen McKinley Henderson as Jim Bono, Russell Hornsby as Lyons, Mykelti Williamson as Gabriel, and with Eden Duncan-Smith and SaCha Stewart-Coleman alternating in the role of Raynell.

FENCES is produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays (who produced the original Broadway production) and Scott Rudin.

The original Broadway production of FENCES opened on March 26, 1987 at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre). FENCES was one of the most critically acclaimed and successful plays of the 1980s, winning four Tony Awards including Best Play, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, three Drama Desk Awards, including Best Play and the NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play.

Two-time Academy Award® winner Denzel Washington returns to Broadway, alongside Academy Award nominee and Tony Award® winner Viola Davis, in August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Both a monumental drama and an intimate family portrait, FENCES tells the story of Troy Maxson, a man torn between the glory of his past and the uncertainty of his future. Emboldened by pride and embittered by sacrifice, Troy is determined to make life better for future generations, even as he struggles to embrace the dreams of his own son.

The production team includes Branford Marsalis (Original Music), Santo Loquasto (Set Design), Constanza Romero (Costume Design), Brian MacDevitt (Lighting Design), ACME Sound Partners (Sound Design).

Ticketing Information:
Tickets for FENCES are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, online at Telecharge.com or in person at the Cort Theatre box office (138 West 48th Street). Box office hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tickets on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday range in price from $61.50 to $121.50. Tickets on Friday, Saturday & Sunday range in price from $61.50 to $126.50.

Performance Schedule:
Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Wednesday & Saturday at 2:00 p.m. & Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Added Performance: Monday, June 28th at 8 p.m.; No Performance: Sunday, July 4th at 3 p.m.

Follow FENCES on Twitter: @FencesBroadway
Find FENCES on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FencesBroadway

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Washington And Davis Talk FENCES To NY Times

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