Fences

Fences opened at the Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut on April 30, 1985. The famous actor James Earl Jones played Troy Maxson. The play was again staged on March 26, 1987, at the 46th Street Theatre. The play earned Wilson the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Jones the 1987 Tony Award for Best Actor. It has also recieved the 1987 Drama Desk Award for Best New Play, the 1987 New York Drama Critics' Circle Best Play Award and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play. Fences was initially presented as a staged reading at Eugene O'Neill's Theatre Center's 1983 National Playwrights Conference. The play has since be acted out numerous times.

Pictured to the left is James Earl Jones as Troy and Ray Aranha as Bono in 1987.

Above is the famous scene of the physical altercation between Troy and Cory acted out during a recreation of the play.

Below scenes from the first known deaf production of any of Wilson's plays performed at Gallaudet University.

James Earl Jones as Troy and Mary Alice as Rose in 1987.

Laurence Fishburne as Troy and Angela Bassett as Rose in 1992.

Laurence Fishburne as Troy and Orlando Jones as Gabriel in 1992.