Press

Friday, January 15, 2010

“Fences” Media Release

A detailed Media Release is available by clicking "read more"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Melissa Zeph
919-215-0889 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Tickets: http://www.TheJusticeTheaterProject.org
919-264-7089 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Fences by August Wilson
Presented by The Justice Theater Project

January 14, 2010; Raleigh, NC
The Justice Theater Project will present Fences written by August Wilson, and directed by Deb Royals. The production will run February 12 - 28, 2010. Saint Mary’s School Pittman Auditorium, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh.
Fences is August Wilson’s masterpiece, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for “Best Play”. Set in 1957, Fences explores what holds families together and drives them apart.  It is a powerful story filled with humor, love, hope, failure and triumph. The play follows Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball star whose prime came before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. After Troy’s rapid rise in sports ends, he is forced to let go of his dreams and deal with his headstrong son, Cory, who has a chance to play college football - an opportunity to achieve the dream his father could not.  Troy’s wife Rose yearns for an outlet for her love, after Troy leaves her for another woman and tries to come back into the family.
Fences is the story of four generations of black Americans that explores justice, fair treatment and social change.  It was an era where all eyes were focused on Little Rock, Arkansas, where nine teenagers were selected by the NAACP for admission to an all white high school, where they bore the brunt of America’s resentment at mandatory integration. In only a few short years the American Civil Rights Movement would be launched into full swing.  Wilson’s Fences deftly captures the tensions of the 1950s.
The role of Troy was originally created by James Earl Jones, who received a Tony award for his performance.  The role of Troy will be reprised on Broadway by Denzel Washington in April of 2010.
Featuring: Jade Arnold (Cory), John Rogers Harris (Troy Maxson), Tyrone Hicks (Lyons),  Lester Hill (Jim Bono), Barbette Hunter (Rose),  Thomasi McDonald (Gabriel), and Maya Bryant and Rachel Woods Barnes (sharing the role of Raynell).
The Justice Theater Project is honored to tackle this challenging and important piece, filled with rich examples of the culture and obstacles set before African Americans in the 1950’s, offering audiences the opportunity to rediscover this chapter of American Life.
As a means of opening a dialogue,  the issues of athletes and discrimination, the resistance to change and how our country as progressed in race relations since 1957 will be addressed during two nights of pre-show discussions with Bill Riddick, retired Dean of the Governor’s Academy for Prevention Professionals at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Mr. Riddick was the architect and inspiration behind the July, 1971 Save Our Schools (SOS) charrette that brought the communities of Durham and Winston-Salem together to discuss school desegregation.  This dramatic week long examination of racism fostered the friendship of Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis, who served as co-chairs.  This extraordinary event is the subject of the documentary, “An Unlikely Friendship”, produced by Diane Bloom.
Discussions will take place on Saturday, February 20 and Friday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Fences is directed by The Justice Theater Project’s Artistic Director, Deb Royals.  Associate Direction by Ron Lee McGill, Sound Design by Julie Jones, Lighting Design by Daniel Sepke, and Stage Management by Brett Stegall.
The Justice Theater Project (JTP) is an advocacy and activist theater company whose mission is to use the dramatic arts to bring to the fore of public attention the needs of the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed.  Each year JTP presents a diverse combination of original works, main stage productions, and community outreach events focusing on issues of social justice.
Fences will be performed at 8:00 p.m. on February 12, 13,  19, 20,  26, 27 and February 14, 21, 28 at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students and senior citizens, and $10 for groups of 10 or more.  Sunday, February 14 at 2 p.m. is $5.00 admission day.  Saturday, February 20 at 8 p.m. is $9 admission for all teachers with valid school system ID’s.
Special events:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - Join us for a Complimentary reception after the show
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 - $5.00 Matinee—Valentine’s Day Celebration
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 -7:30 before show discussion with Mr. Bill Riddick, Retired Dean of the Governor’s Academy for Prevention Professionals at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, - TEACHER DISCOUNT NIGHT - $9 Admission with valid school system ID.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 – 7:30 pm before show discussion with Mr. Bill Riddick
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – 2 pm Audio Described Performance
Contact:
Melissa Zeph, Marketing Coordinator, or Deb Royals Mizerk, Artistic Director.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Web information:  General JTP information and on line tickets:
http://www.TheJusticeTheaterProject.org
(919)215-0889 for more information.
St. Mary’s School Pittman Auditorium is located at 900 Hillsborough Street. For parking, enter on College Place and proceed to Gate 4, Library parking.
Teachers:
Educational/Experiential Guides are available by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

CALENDAR LISTING INFORMATION:
The Justice Theater Project presents Fences by August Wilson,  on February 12, 13,  19, 20,  26, 27 at 8:00 p.m. and February 14, 21, 28 at 2:00 p.m.  $15 general admission, $12 students/ senior citizens,  $10 groups of 10 or more.  Sunday, February 14 at 2 p.m. is $5.00 admission day.  Saturday, February 20 at 8 p.m. is $9 admission for all teachers with valid school system ID’s.  Saint Mary’s School Pittman Auditorium, 900 Hillsborough St. Raleigh. 919-264-7089. http://www.TheJusticeTheaterProject.org
Photo credit:  Frankye J. Riley for P.S.167 New Media

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