FENCES Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 12:17pm

Today is Monday, April 26, marking the official opening of the first Broadway revival of Fences, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by the late, great August Wilson, at the Cort. Previews began April 14. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star in this incarnation.

Ms. Davis plays mother and wife Rose opposite the Troy Maxson of Mr. Washington. Kenny Leon (who helmed Wilson's Radio Golf several seasons ago) directs the production.

The two aforementioned are joined onstage by a cast also featuring Chris Chalk, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, with Eden Duncan-Smith and SaCha Stewart-Coleman.

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."

This is a strictly limited 13-week engagement.

[musicalman2]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 12:18pm

Hey Mike, I always look forward to your posting this! Missed you on hiatus yesterday

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 12:19pm

I thought Marquise would start this thread.

[Piper3500]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 2:21pm

Viola Davis is phenomenal

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 2:59pm

I'm seeing this on Wednesday... can't wait to see it. Best of luck review-wise!

~Steven

[Mike3]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 3:31pm

By dint of its ravishing design and emotional sweep, this "Fences" is that rarest of Broadway efforts: a glamorous, star-driven show that actually earns its buzz.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 4:02pm

I hope Viola gets the raves she deserves. Her performance alone is reason to see this otherwise fine, if forgettable, production.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 5:22pm

Just had a look at the stagetube preview clips of Fences.

Denzel Washington looks flipping awesome in this. Who knew he could be so funny as well. I know it's only 13 minutes worth of spliced together clips, but I can easily see him winning the Tony for Best actor on what I saw there.

Viola Davis seemed a little awkward and actorly in some clips, but without the benefit of context, it's hard to judge whether she's making the right choices. Her confrontation scene with Denzel towards the end however, is incredible. Very emotional.

But this really does look like the Denzel show, to an extent.

[Mike3]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 5:58pm

The Hollywood Reporter

[Mike3]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 6:03pm

Four out of five stars - a mixed review for Washington.
Financial Times

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 6:30pm

I'll be really interested in the reviews Washington gets. Saw him a while ago in "Julius Caesar" and thought he heavily brought down an otherwise excellent show and cast.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 6:40pm

That Financial Times review gives away the plot, including the final scene.

What an idiot.

[bway boy]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 6:51pm

^ I know I'm seeing the show Wednesday and that guy just spoiled it for me at the financial times. What an asshole!!!!

[Marquise]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 6:51pm

No adamgreer, not after all the death threats I've received in the past two days from all the Theater Queens on this board. Talk about bitchy and touchy....

[bway boy]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 7:00pm

Updated On: 4/26/10 at 07:00 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 7:04pm

Another rave for Mr Washington and Ms Davis


The Faster Times Updated On: 4/26/10 at 07:04 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 7:08pm

Can the FT be sued by the producers? What a jerk.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 7:18pm

I am going to disagree with you, rocks. I thought the production was very well done. This production has smart direction, beautiful design, and excellent acting. I actually didn't like Viola Davis that much, but I loved everyone else. I thought Denzel was phenomenal. If he wins the Tony, it's not because he's a star. It would be well deserved.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 7:18pm

I realize "Fences" is a revival, but it's never been a movie, and it's not produced all over the planet. There are many people unfamiliar with the story and the characters.

So Financial Times hires a completely clueless amateur who apparently hasn't taken "Critics 101." How BASIC is it not to give away the ending in a review?

Yet another reason why "professional critics" are losing so much ground with audiences and readers.

And for those of you planning to see the play soon, DON'T READ THE FINANCIAL TIMES REVIEW. MAJOR SPOILERS FROM A MAJOR IDIOT!

[Piper3500]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 7:33pm

^ Denzel - wow. I must say from the clip they posted on BWW though that he sounded rushed and didn't seem to ride the laughter and i didn't catch all the dialogue. that is just silly nitpicking which really is irrelevent though. I enjoy Viola's acting and think she is fantastic. Also in the clip she looks reminiscent of the angry scene she had with Meryl in Doubt but I find her very believable, a great match for Denzel and worthy of an award if she is eligable. The crowd starts to clap because they can feel it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 7:58pm

"Denzel is magnificent, Viola is astonishing....and the play is a deeply moving, hugely satisfying evening of theatre"
Backstage

[broadwayman17]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 8:10pm

Variety (Very Positive)
"No, you don't need to frontload the production with a star to mount a successful revival of "Fences." August Wilson's 1987 drama, the Pulitzer Prize-winning centerpiece of his 10-play Century Cycle about the African-American experience, is a masterpiece, and this meticulously mounted production does it proud. That said, it definitely does not hurt to have a high-wattage superstar like Denzel Washington toplining the show in the role originally defined by James Earl Jones. Although quirkily cast as a gruff, middle-aged sanitation worker, Washington turns in a heartfelt performance as one of the true tragic heroes of modern American theater"
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942623.html?categoryId=33&cs=1

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 8:15pm

^ Denzel - wow. I must say from the clip they posted on BWW though that he sounded rushed and didn't seem to ride the laughter and i didn't catch all the dialogue

I'm glad you can judge his entire live perforamce from a 10 second internet clip. Good for you.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 8:15pm

"Leon and Washington hit collective homerun"


Chigaco Tribune

[Piper3500]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 8:29pm

"I'm glad you can judge his entire live perforamce from a 10 second internet clip. Good for you. "


I'm not. I said WOW meaning he was fantastic. I was pointing out that the video clip doesn't give his performance all the justice it deserves.