RIALTO CHATTER: FENCES Headed to the West End?

The U.K. Daily Mail is reporting that the Broadway production of FENCES, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis may transfer to the West End following it's final curtain call in New York on July 11, 2010.  Washington is reportedly in the Early Stages of negotiations to make the transfer with the show.  

The actor jests: "They want to take it to London. But can I go? I'd love to - but have you seen my bills?...I would love to go, but is it possible? I just don't know. I'm not ruling it out, though."

FENCES lead producer Scott Rudin is more confident in the possibility of a move, stating in the Daily Mail: "I'd do it like a shot."

The idea would also be to bring co-star Viola Davis to London, as well.  Were the production to transfer, it would not be immediate, as Washington has been clear about taking a short break after the Broadway run. Like the Broadway production, a West End run of FENCES would be a strictly limited engagement. 

Two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington, alongside co-star Viola Davis, a Tony Award winner and Academy Award nominee herself, opened the first Broadway revival of FENCES on Monday, April 26 at the Cort Theatre. The 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by August Wilson was directed by Kenny Leon. The strictly limited 13-week engagement began previews on April 14. 

In addition to Denzel Washington as Troy Maxson and Viola Davis as Rose Maxson, the Broadway 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.

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).

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.

For tickets and more information, visit www.fencesbroadway.com.

Photo Credit: Retna Ltd.