August Wilson's FENCES to Run 2/7-3/1 at Open Stage of Harrisburg

Open Stage of Harrisburg Executive Artistic Director Donald Alsedek directs another installment of August Wilson's acclaimed Century Cycle of plays exploring the Black experience in America Following at the intimate Angino Family Theatre. Following last year's triumph with JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, Alsedek takes on August Wilson's African-American epic, FENCES. The production opens February 7 and closes March 1. Evening performances Thursday to Saturdays are at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees are at 2:00pm.

"I am pleased to present August Wilson's work to our audience once more," says Alsedek. "FENCES was a landmark work in Wilson's career, and a landmark work for the American theatre. It asks important questions about race and identity."

In a world ruled by the dictates of segregation, Troy thought of baseball as an opportunity to play by the rules and win, but his prime came before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Like so many of the quiet champions from this era, Troy's legacy died with the Negro Leagues. It was an era in which black Americans daily faced the injustice and humiliation of racism. Wilson's FENCES deftly captures the tensions of the 1950s, offering a unique and powerful insight into a turbulent era in American history.

Alsedek has assembled a talented cast of experienced actors to bring Wilson's world to life, many of whom have performed in Open Stage's other installments of the Cycle (JITNEY, THE PIANO LESSON, Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM, and JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE). The cast includes Ronald G. Chapel (Troy Maxson), Sharia Benn (Rose), Aaron Bomar (Jim Bono), Jeremy Patterson (Lyons), Michael Powell (Gabriel), Jurdan Payne (Cory), and Brooklynn Spriggs (Raynell).

Accomplished designers have signed on to assist Alsedek on this project, including Resident Costume Designer Gwen Alsedek, Set Designer Steve Krempasky, and Lighting Designer Tristian Stasiulis.

Individual tickets for Joe Turner's Come and Gone start at only $25. Additional savings are available for groups, students, and those who join Open Stage for Thrifty Thursdays presented by PSEA - meaning discounted seats can be obtained for as little as $15!

With special events during the run of JOE TURNER, theatre-lovers can come and go to their hearts' content:

• Opening night festivities are held on Friday, February 7, including a post-show reception party for the audience featuring complimentary wine, fantastic food, and a beer tasting from ALTER EGO BREWING CO.

• Student matinees are available on select weekdays in February. Tickets are $18 each, and a chaperone is admitted free for every 15 students. For details, call 717-214-3248 or e-mail info@openstagehbg.com

• A Post-play discussion on the Negro Leaugues moderated by Ted Knorr, and including Calobe Jackson, author Any Linker, and Randy Whittaker of the Harrisburg Senators - following 2:00pm matinee on February 16.

See FENCES before it's gone. Open Stage of Harrisburg is located at 223 Walnut St., on the street level of the Walnut Street Garage in downtown Harrisburg. For tickets or information, call 177-232-OPEN(6736) - or simply click openstagehbg.com.

This season is funded, in part, by the Cultural Enrichment Fund, the capital region's united arts fund. Open Stage of Harrisburg is a Constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for professional theatre.

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