Jones, Pierce, Etc. Join Fences, with Bassett & Fishburne

More casting has been announced for the upcoming Pasadena Playhouse production of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning Fences, featuring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.  It will run from August 25th through October 1st.

Joining Oscar-nominee Bassett (Joe Turner's Come and Gone on Broadway) and Fishburne (Tony Award-winner for Two Trains Running, the Matrix films) will be Orlando Jones (the films Drumline, Evolution), Kadeem Hardison ("A Different World"), Bryan Clark (His Girl Friday at the Guthrie), Wendell Pierce (Serious Money, The Piano Lesson) and Victoria Matthews.

Fences, directed by Sheldon Epp, will reunite Fishburne and Bassett, who famously starred as Ike and Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do With It, and have also been seen together in Akeelah and the Bee and Boyz n the Hood.  In the show, "Troy Maxson — a former star ballplayer in the Negro Leagues — finds himself an embittered 53-year old garbage collector. As he comes to terms with his own lost dreams, Troy struggles to hold onto a shred of personal dignity while battling to unite his family," according to notes on the Playhouse's website. 

Fences is part of Wilson's acclaimed ten-play chronicle of the African-American experience in the 20th century.  In addition to the Pulitzer, it won the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play, as well as Tonys for original stars James Earl Jones and Mary Alice.  Lloyd Richards, who recently passed away, also won a Tony for his direction.

For more information, visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.