The Gallery Players, located at 199 14th Street in Brooklyn, recently hit a homerun with a revival of August Wilson’s “Fences.” The dramatic production powerfully tells the story of Troy Maxson, an ex-professional baseball player, who is now a garbage man struggling to make a life for himself alongside his wife Rose and son Cory. He’s a man who has fallen on hard times in the past, who has been to jail and has a very jaded approach to life. Troy had a very dysfunctional childhood, which had a direct impact on how he fathers his son Cory. Troy is very bitter and frustrated with where he has not gotten to in life.
The way he interacts with his wife Rose shows a man who has a troubled mind and someone who can’t truly appreciate a loving woman who is right in front of him and who has stood by his side for 18 years. Rose is a strong Black woman who loves her husband and son. She is the type of woman who will stand by your side, no matter what, but she is also not someone to be used.
Troy’s world revolves around his family, his job with the department of sanitation, his wounded war veteran brother Gabe, his older son from a previous relationship, Lyons; his best friend Bono and eventually a daughter, Raynell.
Wilson’s work is a masterpiece, of this there is no question. But what was also obvious sitting in the audience is that this cast brought their A game to this production. Actor Reggie Wilson was stunning and poignant as Troy. He delivered this character in a way that made him seem hard, but was also someone who had been abused and had a vulnerable side. He was a man battling life and ready to swing a bat on whatever foul balls life threw in his direction. He also delivered the character with a sense of arrogance, as Troy had no problem with cheating on his wife and felt he was justified in his actions. Reggie Wilson had the audience loving and angry with his character, the exact reactions people should have to this emotionally mixed up and wounded person. Gina-Simone Pemberton delivered a memorable, endearing and strong performance as Rose. She showed a woman’s love and devotion, but also a woman’s right to outrage and ability to punish a man who was not faithful to her, while also not taking her hurt out on the world. Jamar Arthur was quite impressive as Cory. He displayed various levels of emotion that showed every moment of fear, and then frustration and defiance that his character went through.
You could feel his disappointment and his pain as he tried to win a losing battle to get a father’s love and approval that was never going to come. Adrian Phillips was phenomenal as Gabriel, Troy’s brother who was a wounded war veteran, not in his right mind. He made the audience feel compassion for this fallen soldier, who came back from the war with no parade or appreciation. He was a caring, harmless person, and someone who still deserved respect and regard. Phillips grabbed that character by the hand and went with it.
He was touching as he showed the mental anguish and joy of this poor soul. Brandon Agnew was marvelous as Bono. He let the audience see the levels of friendship that he had with Troy, but also witness their separation. Isaiah Joseph was charming as Lyons. The father he knew was hard on him too, but not to the extent that Troy was hard on Cory. Anaia Barton is quite sweet as Raynell, Troy’s love child and the little girl that Rose unselfishly raises.
This production was simply riveting! The set design by Jerry Mittelhauser was detailed and captivating. The production also had the work of costume designer Khari Walser, lighting designer Allison Ramnarine, sound designer and composer Michael Roll, and fight coordinator Meron Langsner. The production was flawlessly directed by DeMone Seraphin.
