Troy Maxson speaks from his gut. Life has not been easy on him, nor has he been easy on life. His home is in a Pittsburgh ghetto, where he lives with his wife and youngest son. He is a sincere man, a driven man, and he rules his family with a heavy hand. He builds fences around his small plot of land, fences to keep people out and, quite possibly, to keep the family in.
Scripps Ranch Theater's production of Fences is first rate. Raylene Wall and Rosemary King's set, with suggestions from Mary Ann McKay, includes the front of Troy and Rose Maxson's house, replete with front porch, front yard, a partially built fence, and much more. Mary Neuru's lighting subtly provides for both morning and evening lighting, complementing the set's color and texture.
Playwright August Wilson's Pulitzer winner, set in 1957 Pittsburgh, studies a family where love is strong, in spite of an autocratic head of the household. Troy Maxson, portrayed by Grandison Phelps III, has many insecurities for which he constantly overcompensates. Phelps dominates the stage as his character dominates his family and friend, Jim Bono, played by Lennox Miller. The latter is the perfect foil, saying so much with an aside, a look, or the twist of his body.
Phelps' real-life son, Grandison Phelps IV, plays Troy's dominated son, Cory Maxson. Cory, unable to please his father, explodes in frustrated rage in a dynamic scene. Janet Mescus portrays often-teased and always-dominated wife Rose Maxson.Mescus' Rose is the protective mother trying to balance the tyranny of a dominant husband with the desires of her football-playing teenager. The actress offers artful transitions in her character as Rose exerts positive control of her family.
Raymond Harris portrays Troy's mentally impaired brother Gabriel with panache. He brings to the role an endearing quality as Gabriel exhibits gentle innocence, talks to unheard voices and roars with Troy's older son Lyons (Reggie Willis), the black sheep of the family - at least according to his father. He is a delightful con artist to his family, a musician, and, at times, a miscreant. Seven-year-old Ellen Hill plays Troy's out-of-wedlock daughter, Raynell. She is both cute and joyful.
Director Antonio "T. J." Johnson has assembled a professional cast worthy of this award-winning play. The performances are strong, portrayals well-defined, indicating excellent casting and strong direction. Producer Sharon K. Hays has assembled an able support team, including Sharon Harrington's authentic costumes and Michael Shapiro's excellent sound design.
