Casting Call: 'Fences'

Villagers Theatre is seeking seven actors for its upcoming production of "Fences," August Wilson's Pulitzer-winning play about black life in the 1950s.

This sensational drama follows Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded as a black man from the major leagues during his prime, Troy's bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son, who now wants his own chance to play football.

The play won a Pulitzer for drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play. The original production starred James Earl Jones as Troy Maxson, and closed after a year. A revival in 2010 starred Denzel Washington and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, ultimately winning for best revival, Best Actor in a Play, and Best Actress in a Play.

Auditions for the Villagers production will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27. Callbacks will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29.

Roles are:

Troy Maxson Male 45-60	African American. A former baseball star in the Negro Leagues, he now works for the sanitation department. Husband to Rose; father to Lyons, Cory and Raynell; and brother to Gabriel, and best friend to Jom Bono.
Rose Maxson Female 35-45	African American. Troy's wife and mother of his second child, Cory. She is a housewife who volunteers at her church regularly and loves her family. Rose's request that Troy and Cory build a fence in their small, dirt back yard comes to represent her desire to keep her loved ones close by. Unlike Troy, Rose is a realist, not a romantic longing for bygone days. She has high hopes for her son, Cory, and sides with him in his wish to play football. Rose's acceptance of Troy's illegitimate daughter, Raynell, as her own child, exemplifies her compassion.
Lyons Maxson Male 30-40.	African American. Troy's son from a previous relationship. Lyons is an ambitious and talented jazz musician. He grew up without Troy for much of his childhood because Troy was in prison. Lyons, like most musicians, has a hard time making a living.
Cory Maxson Male 14-18.	African American. Troy and Rose Maxson's son, a senior in high school. An ambitious young man who has the talent and determination to realize his dreams, Cory comes of age during the course of the play when he challenges and confronts Troy, and leaves home.
Gabriel Maxson Male 40-55	African American. Troy's younger brother. Gabriel was a soldier in World War II, during which he received a head injury. Gabriel wanders around the neighborhood, carrying a basket and singing. He often thinks he is not a person, but the angel Gabriel who opens the gates of heaven with his trumpet for Saint Peter on Judgment Day. Gabriel exudes a childlike exuberance and a need to please.
Jim Bono Male 45-60.	African American. Troy's best friend of more than years. Jim Bono is usually called "Bono" or "Mr. Bono" by others. Bono and Troy met in jail, where Troy learned to play baseball. He is married to a woman named Lucille, who is friends with Rose. Bono is a devoted husband and friend.
Raynell Maxson Female 7-10	African American. Troy's illegitimate child, mothered by Alberta, his lover, who died in childbirth. Raynell's need for care and support convinces Rose to take Troy back into the house.

Rehearsals will run from November through January. Performances will run from Jan. 15 to Jan. 24. The show is produced by Andy Gordanier, directed by Jerome John, and stage managed by Laura Zahorbenski.

For more information, email andy@villagerstheatre.com.