FENCES coming to Broadway

August Wilson's Fences, a play of great resonance (I blogged about it back on Sunday, May 10, 2009), is coming to Broadway on April 14th, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.

Playblog writes:

A Cover Story: Fences

March 28th, 2010
Denzel Washington stars in the first Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Fences, beginning April 14 at the Cort Theatre.

According to production notes, “As he faces off against the racial barrier at work and his own disappointments, Troy also grapples with his son, Cory, over the teenager’s hope for a football scholarship and with his wife, Rose, who confronts Troy over a child he has fathered with another woman.”

The production also features Viola Davis, Chris Chalk, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby and Mykelti Williamson.

How exciting! 13 weeks only! I wonder if and when (how soon) student rush tickets will be offered. I hope I get to see this one.

P.S. This one is not a musical.

MEMPHIS on Broadway

The cast of Memphis / photo by Kevin Berne

I saw the show Memphis starring Chad Kimball and Montego Glover today with my family and ... what can I say? In select words: An explosive, emotional, alive, and referential period musical. We sat in the front row (my first time for a Broadway show) and it was an entirely different experience -- seeing and hearing the performers' chests rise and fall thunderously from exertion, being close enough to touch each other (and definitely close enough to be inadvertently spit on) forms a whole other level of connection with the characters and devotion to the storyline. The show delivered all the razzle dazzle promised by a 44th Street address. Memphis reacquainted me with the magic of Broadway, and reminded me how much I love live shows. I want to see more shows now!

J. Bernard Calloway as Delray Jones and Montego Glover as Felicia Farrell in Memphis.

I can confidently say it's my favorite musical-type show I've seen on Broadway up until now. It made me wish I were a performer like them. Highly recommended, see Memphis if you can!

 Chad Kimball as Huey Calhoun and Montego Glover as Felicia Farrell in Memphis

 

Chad Kimball as Huey Calhoun in Memphis.

 James Monroe Iglehart as Bobby and cast in Memphis.