Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Swinging For The Fences Again

Swinging For The Fences Again

According to Campbell Robertson of The New York Times, a 20th anniversary Broadway revival is in the works for August Wilson's Fences.

Helmed by Suzan-Lori Parks, the play will once again be produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays, who produced the original that enjoyed a 525 performance run from March, 1987 through June, 1988. The revival is planned for the fall.

Set in the late fifties and early sixties, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play falls squarely in the middle of the late, great playwright's renowned cycle of the African American experience during the 20th Century. Yet when it made its celebrated Rialto debut in 1987, it was just the second of Wilson's works to be presented on Broadway. Fences followed Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1984), which so far is the only other Wilson work to be revived on a Main Stem stage.

While casting is yet to be announced, James Earl Jones and Mary Alice each took home Tony Awards for their efforts. With Parks at the helm, look for some major acting talent to be drawn to the production.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Labels: August Wilson, Broadway, Fences, First Word On New Show, Play, Revival, Suzi-Lori Parks

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, March 18, 2008