FENCES  

AFFORDABILITY HIGH CLASS FOR A SMALL PRICE

Pretty affordable with it being in the venue and having the actors it had. I got my ticket due to the class I was in and the ticket was around $40-60 bucks.

ATMOSPHERE/SET-UP HOME SWEET... NOT!

The atmosphere even before entering the performance space was busy. Everyone trying to get their drinks and refreshments before the play began and rushing inside to find seats. I believe all this rushing came from me arriving a bit late. They say you should arrive at least 15 minutes before the designated time on the ticket so you won't have to rush and you can relax and have time to find your seats... they were right.
Upon entering the performance space there was an immediate sight of the front of a house. Outside the house on the right was a ladder leaning up against a fence and on the other side of the house were a tree with a rope with a knot at the bottom of it, later on in the play we find out what this rope is used for. The set gives you a feeling of living in the country and even though the set may be seen as “homey” you can tell through the “stuffy” atmosphere of the house and the cramped feeling of the set that the play isn't going to be so “home sweet homey”.


SUMMARY OF PLAY/FAVORITE MOMENTS & CHARACTERS MISFORTUNE OR DESTINY

The performance begins with the protagonist Troy Maxson and his best friend Jim Bono making a noisy entrance. The conversation the two were having was very humerous but listening past the laughter and funny jokes the theme and the main focus of Troy's life was being told. Troy wanted to drive the dumpster truck instead of being the trash mover and that was what he thought would make him happy and finally content with life. In the end we see that that's not all he needed for his life to take a turn for the better.
There were 7 main characters of the play Troy Maxson, Cory Maxson (the son), Rose Maxson (the wife), Gabriel Maxson (Troy's brother), Jim Bono (troys friend), Lyons (Troys other son before his marriage with Rose), and Raynell Maxson (Troys illegitimate child).
The acting of all of the performers was spectacular to say the least but there was one person that stuck out more than the others and this was the mother, the wife, and the person trying to hold everything together, Rose played by Kim Staunton. With her witty remarks such as “If you ain't the marrying kind move out the way so the marrying kind can find me” and her passionate love towards her husband, her friends, and family she is no less than the lady of the hour.
My favorite moment of the play was in the end when Troy was battling with the devil. Troy was on his very last strike and it was his time to go. Troy being a prior baseball player had his bat and on his last swing (which I think was also his last breath) the scene closed with one swing of his bat to fight off "Mr. Death" and everything turns black.
Fences is a remarkable play of love and hardship. Living in Pittsburgh in 1957 would be no cake walk for anyone no less than an African American family trying to be comfortable living day by day. This play gives us a glimpse into the world in those times and makes us grateful for the opportunities we have now and the times we live in. Definitely worth every penny!