Just in time for the Juneteenth and Father Day, Atlanta's pulsating theater scene welcomes a strong new production by August Wilson's Fences-A corner pillar of the American Drama, which is equipped by the AMC Performance Company in the Encore Film & Music Studio. From June 13 to June 22, this production offers the audience a moving exploration of family, identity and inheritance through the lens of black American life in the 1950s.
Directed by Geoffrey D. Williams and assistant directed by Dane Troy, the piece is an important moment for the AMC Performance Company, the Resident Theater Company in Encore's New Black Box Studio. The fence stars Douglas Howington as Troy Maxson, the highly towering patriarch of Wilson's story, with Charmain Howington as Rose Maxson, Cameron Smith as Cory Maxson, Maya Monk as Raynell Maxson, Michael Ward as Gabriel Maxson, Robert Jim Bono and Robert Hamilton as Lyons Maxson.
Rod Whittaker, producer and owner of Encore Film & Music Studio, expressed his excitement for this pioneering production:
“I am looking forward to the fact that this production is finally increasing in our new Black Box Studio area. We love to face new challenges here, and hopefully this will invite a new audience to our home.”
The staging of fences also reflects a deeper artistic vision of AMC Performance Company. Under the leadership of the artistic director Robert King Jr. and the deputy artistic director Valoneecia Tolbert, the company has undertaken to present both original works and classics who honor and reflect the black experience. Her earlier productions include Mahalaia's love, the voices of Donny Hathaway by: Robert King Jr. and Tales of a Blerd Ballerina by Valoneecia Tolbert.
King shared his thoughts about bringing Wilson's work into the studio:
“While we continue to thrive the budget cuts and financing challenges for the cinemas nationwide, it was important that it was important to return to one of the biggest staples of the Black Theater: August Wilson. My hope is to bring one of his pieces into our room every June.”
Wilson's fences, a piece and part of his cycle of 10 games, which is awarded the Pulitzer Prize, captures the complexity of a former baseball player from Negro League, who has to deal with past dreams and current responsibilities. The 2016 film adaptation with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis again drew attention to the permanent effects of the play. Now the audience of Atlanta has the opportunity to experience this iconic story in an intimate, living environment.
The appearances run on Fridays to Sundays from June 13th to 22nd in the Encore Film & Music Studio in Feuerwerk City in the 4523 Fulton Industrial BLVD SW, Atlanta, GA 30336.
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