Denzel Washington's Talks His Long Road to FENCES

WENN news reports that Denzel Washington had been hesitant to play the role of Troy Maxson in August Wilson's FENCES for years because of who had played him there before. James Earl Jones originally starred in the role in 1987 and for years Washington felt he was too young for the part.

Says FENCES producer Scott Rudin, "Denzel and I have been having conversations about this one role for years. This was no sudden thought. A long time ago he met August Wilson at Wilson's home in Seattle. It was a rainy afternoon, and they spent time talking. And he loved this particular play. He always wanted to do it 'one day.'

"The reason it was 'one day' was because Denzel's role in Fences is that of the patriarch father. The character is 54. Denzel didn't think he was old enough. So many years have passed and we've talked about it so long."

Denzel decided he had finally grown into the role after his Broadway debut in 2005 as Brutus in the Julius Caesar revival, and now, finally, FENCES is set to open on April 26, 2010 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street). The strictly limited 13-week engagement will begin previews on April 14. 

In addition to Denzel Washington as Troy Maxson, the cast will feature Viola Davis as Rose Maxson, Chris Chalk (MTC's Ruined) as Cory, Stephen McKinley Henderson (August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom & King Hedley II) as Jim Bono, Russell Hornsby (ABC's "Lincoln Heights" & HBO's "In Treatment") as Lyons and Mykelti Williamson (Fox's "24" & Forrest Gump) as Gabriel. Casting for the role of Raynell will be announced at a later date.

FENCES will be produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays (who produced the original Broadway production) and Scott Rudin.

This production is the first Broadway revival since FENCES opened on March 26, 1987 at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre). FENCES was one of the most critically acclaimed and successful plays of the 1980s, winning four Tony Awards including Best Play, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, three Drama Desk Awards, including Best Play and the NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play.

Tickets for FENCES are available through Telecharge.com by phone at 212-239-6200, or 800-432-7250, or online at www.Telecharge.com. Group tickets are also available through Telecharge.com. Tickets will be available in person beginning February 8 at the Cort Theatre box office (138 West 48th Street). Box office hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tickets on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday range in price from $61.50 to $121.50. Tickets on Friday, Saturday & Sunday range in price from $61.50 to $126.50.

Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Wednesday & Saturday at 2:00 p.m. & Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Added Performance: Monday, June 28th at 8 p.m.; Time Change: Tuesday, April 20th at 8 p.m.; No Performance: Wednesday, April 14th at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 21st at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 27th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 4th at 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.fencesonbroadway.com.