August Wilson’s milestone play Fences, directed by Roselle Park resident Jensyn Modero, will have performances tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Rahway High School Center for Performing Arts.
Mrs. Modero, who also directed a production of CATS earlier this year has envisioned the 1950s entry of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s famous “Century Cycle” of plays, which chronicle a different decade of African-American life in the 20th century. Fences centers around Troy Maxson, a 53-year-old sanitation worker who was a baseball star in the Negro Leagues. The drama highlights the struggles and dreams of an American family and a protagonist who understands that “Some people build fences to keep people out . . . and other people build fences to keep people in.”
The production features a talented group of teenagers in both acting and creative roles including Dion Grier as Troy, Najah Hetsberger as Rose, Chrizhawn Brown as Cory, Hendrix Dyke as Bono, Mechi Brown as Gabriel, Jay-Quan Johnson as Lyons, and LaKyra Nash as Raynell with Karissa Nabbie as the student director and Xyaire Merriweather as the female swing/dramaturg.
Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance at BookTix (link) or at the door both evenings. Rahway High School Center for Performing Arts is located at 1012 Madison Avenue in Rahway. Anyone requesting more information can call (732) 396-1090.
