|
Published: December 05, 2008 04:15 pm
THEATER: 'Fences' plays at the Woodbox
By Phil Dzikiy
Linda Silvestri sees the parallels.
Silvestri is directing “Fences” at the Woodbox Theater this weekend. “Fences” is the sixth part of playwright August Wilson’s “Pittsburgh Cycle.” Wilson’s cycle features 10 plays — one for each decade in the last century. Nine of the 10 plays take place in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, a predominantly African-American neighborhood in the city that has gone from a cultural crossroads to a crumbling region.
The play’s setting is described as the “backyard of an urban home in a North American industrial city. If that seems familiar ...
“This might as well have been Niagara Falls,” Silvestri said. “Fences” may very well be Wilson’s most famous play. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1987 and James Earl Jones won the Tony Award for Best Actor. Jones played Troy Maxson, a former Negro Leagues baseball player who becomes the first black garbageman in Pittsburgh.
Silvestri describes Maxson as “terrible, but you can connect with him.”
In the Woodbox production, Maxson is played by Tab Booze, who feels simlarly about the character, calling him an “evil guy.” But Booze sees parallels, as well.
“I know Troy, without a doubt,” Booze said. “In a lot of ways, Troy is me. He says the things I wouldn’t say out loud.”
Booze sees Troy Maxson as a perfectionist and a dedicated father who doesn’t want to show his love.
“I love the part,” Booze said. “It takes a lot of energy to do this part.”
Booze was also part of the cast when the Woodbox did another Wilson play a few years ago, “Jitney.” Booze enjoyed “Jitney” and he spoke highly of Wilson’s “real” dialogue, but he’s feeling an even greater connection with “Fences.”
“I couldn’t see anything more powerful than this,” he said of the play. “It has some devastating factors. It’s well-rounded and it’s real ... it’s a tearjerker ... the cast has cried in rehearsals.”
Silvestri echoes Booze’s praises when it comes to Wilson’s knack for creating reality.
“He creates such realistic characters with real situations,” Silvestri said. “People can connect.”
And people can connect even more at a theater like the Woodbox, according to Silvestri. A small, intimate theater that only seats 72 people, the Woodbox creates a strong connection between the audience and the performers.
“There’s nothing locally that compares to it,” Silvestri said. “It’s like you’re right there with (the actors).”
Silvestri hopes an acclaimed play like “Fences” can be a starting point for more locals to check out theater in the area.
“I think people should take a chance,” she said. “I see Niagara Falls people going to Buffalo (theaters) and they don’t come here.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Fences”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21.
WHERE: Woodbox Theatre at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. and Portage Road.
COST: General admission $10, seniors and students $8.
MORE INFORMATION: Call 297-5910.
August Wilson’s “Pittsburgh Cycle”
“Fences” is the sixth part of playwright August Wilson’s “Pittsburgh Cycle,” a 10-play cycle dramatizing the African-American experience through the decades of the 20th century. Nine of the 10 plays are based in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, while “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is set in Chicago.
Wilson finished the cycle in 2005 with “Radio Golf” before succumbing to cancer in the same year.
• “Gem of the Ocean” — 1900s
• “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” — 1910s
• “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — 1920s
• “The Piano Lesson” — 1930s
• “Seven Guitars” — 1940s
• “Fences” — 1950s
• “Two Trains Running” — 1960s
• “Jitney” — 1970s
• “King Hedley II” — 1980s
• “Radio Golf” — 1990s
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioner, Family or Geriatric Per diem visits, to complete an assessment form with a home visit. $40. per v...>MORE
FOREMAN & LABORERS
Basement Waterproofing co. needs a foreman & laborers for expanding business, exp. w/interior drain tile a plus, 471-723...>MORE
Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
EEO Compliance & Workforce Diversity Coordinator
Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance & Workforce Diversity Coordinator City of Niagara Falls Immediate...>MORE
DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, know WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
Marriage Counselor
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position: ...>MORE
Used Car Lot Helper
USED CAR Lot Helper misc. duties, valid driver’s license, great work environment. For details 731-2319 ask for Mr. Dan...>MORE
Driver
DRIVERS – CDL A TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR DEDICATED RUNS No touch freight............Good miles ...>MORE
Grill Cook
GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE
Dietitian
Dietitian with duties to incl. cooking & ability to give direction in a health facility's dietary dept. Benefits incl. 4...>MORE
See all ads |
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect, low mileage, $895. 716-525-2889...>MORE
Chevy 1994 High Topper Van
CHEVY 1994 High topper van, high road miles, mechanically sound, $900 or bo, 716-510-8105...>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
1984 Cadillac Eldorado
CADILLAC Eldorado 1984, runs, inspected, $500. 283-3552....>MORE
1996 Saturn Sport Coup
SATURN 1996 Sport coup, 4 cyl, auto, exc cond in & out, loaded, CD, no rust, 97k orig. mi, $2195. 523-7102....>MORE
Nissan 1993 4x4
NISSAN 1993 4x4, extended cab, bedliner cap, $1200 or best offer, 715-2450...>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|