The Royal Larkspur Play Troupe is going beyond its boundaries to present "Fences," the highly acclaimed work of African-American playwright August Wilson.
A three-day run of the play at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum June 19-21 will feature an all African-American cast directed by Ben Bradley. L.A. Drama Critics named Bradley "Best L.A. Director 2008." He is also considered one of the best interpreters of the late Wilson's work. "Fences" has been recognized with a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award.
Valley resident Gary Hoffman, a producer and founder of the Royal Larkspur Play Troupe, is spearheading the first-ever production of "Fences" in Idaho.
"It started because of Sandra Hofferber at The Community Library, who has made the Smithsonian exhibition 'Between Fences' possible," Hoffman said. "The library agreed to co-sponsor the production, and I needed seven talented African-American actors to make it work."
Hoffman worked his Los Angeles and Boise theater contacts to make the production possible. None of the actors in "Fences" have ever been to Idaho.
"August Wilson is the pre-eminent writer of the African-American experience and 'Fences' could not be more suited for the Smithsonian's exhibition and current times," Hoffman said. "It is very personal human experience and there are many references to the history of slavery, the living conditions of African-Americans during slavery and the constant struggle to achieve a dream many Americans have taken for granted."
Wilson wrote "Fences" in 1984. It first debuted at the Yale Repertory Theater in New Haven, Conn., in 1985. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth play in Wilson's 10-part "Pittsburgh Cycle." The Pittsburgh plays explore the ever-changing African-American experience and American race relations.
"All other immigrants came to the U.S. for a better life and opportunity," Hoffman said. "For African-Americans, it was the opposite. There was no choice or opportunity for freedom. Freedom was achieved through pain, suffering and condescension."
The cast for "Fences" consists of The Royal Larkspur Play Troupe is going beyond its boundaries to present "Fences," the highly acclaimed work of African-American playwright August Wilson.
A three-day run of the play at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum June 19-21 will feature an all African-American cast directed by Ben Bradley. L.A. Drama Critics named Bradley "Best L.A. Director 2008." He is also considered one of the best interpreters of the late Wilson's work. "Fences" has been recognized with a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award.
Valley resident Gary Hoffman, a producer and founder of the Royal Larkspur Play Troupe, is spearheading the first-ever production of "Fences" in Idaho.
"It started because of Sandra Hofferber at The Community Library, who has made the Smithsonian exhibition 'Between Fences' possible," Hoffman said. "The library agreed to co-sponsor the production, and I needed seven talented African-American actors to make it work."
Hoffman worked his Los Angeles and Boise theater contacts to make the production possible. None of the actors in "Fences" have ever been to Idaho.
"August Wilson is the pre-eminent writer of the African-American experience and 'Fences' could not be more suited for the Smithsonian's exhibition and current times," Hoffman said. "It is very personal human experience and there are many references to the history of slavery, the living conditions of African-Americans during slavery and the constant struggle to achieve a dream many Americans have taken for granted."
Wilson wrote "Fences" in 1984. It first debuted at the Yale Repertory Theater in New Haven, Conn., in 1985. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth play in Wilson's 10-part "Pittsburgh Cycle." The Pittsburgh plays explore the ever-changing African-American experience and American race relations.
"All other immigrants came to the U.S. for a better life and opportunity," Hoffman said. "For African-Americans, it was the opposite. There was no choice or opportunity for freedom. Freedom was achieved through pain, suffering and condescension." The Royal Larkspur Play Troupe is going beyond its boundaries to present "Fences," the highly acclaimed work of African-American playwright August Wilson.
A three-day run of the play at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum June 19-21 will feature an all African-American cast directed by Ben Bradley. L.A. Drama Critics named Bradley "Best L.A. Director 2008." He is also considered one of the best interpreters of the late Wilson's work. "Fences" has been recognized with a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award.
Valley resident Gary Hoffman, a producer and founder of the Royal Larkspur Play Troupe, is spearheading the first-ever production of "Fences" in Idaho.
"It started because of Sandra Hofferber at The Community Library, who has made the Smithsonian exhibition 'Between Fences' possible," Hoffman said. "The library agreed to co-sponsor the production, and I needed seven talented African-American actors to make it work."
Hoffman worked his Los Angeles and Boise theater contacts to make the production possible. None of the actors in "Fences" have ever been to Idaho.
"August Wilson is the pre-eminent writer of the African-American experience and 'Fences' could not be more suited for the Smithsonian's exhibition and current times," Hoffman said. "It is very personal human experience and there are many references to the history of slavery, the living conditions of African-Americans during slavery and the constant struggle to achieve a dream many Americans have taken for granted."
Wilson wrote "Fences" in 1984. It first debuted at the Yale Repertory Theater in New Haven, Conn., in 1985. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth play in Wilson's 10-part "Pittsburgh Cycle." The Pittsburgh plays explore the ever-changing African-American experience and American race relations.
"All other immigrants came to the U.S. for a better life and opportunity," Hoffman said. "For African-Americans, it was the opposite. There was no choice or opportunity for freedom. Freedom was achieved through pain, suffering and condescension."
The cast for "Fences" consists of some of Los Angeles' most talented film, television and theater stars. The cast includes Rico Anderson as Lyons, Demond Robertson as Cory Maxson, Keith Bolden as Gabriel Maxson, Bernard K. Addison as Troy Maxson, Veralyn Jones as Rose Maxson, R.K. Williams as Bono and Dominique Nelson as Raynell Maxson.
The Smithsonian exhibition "Between Fences" will continue through July 4 at The Community Library in Ketchum. For details, call 726-3493.
The cast for "Fences" consists of some of Los Angeles' most talented film, television and theater stars. The cast includes Rico Anderson as Lyons, Demond Robertson as Cory Maxson, Keith Bolden as Gabriel Maxson, Bernard K. Addison as Troy Maxson, Veralyn Jones as Rose Maxson, R.K. Williams as Bono and Dominique Nelson as Raynell Maxson. The Royal Larkspur Play Troupe is going beyond its boundaries to present "Fences," the highly acclaimed work of African-American playwright August Wilson.
A three-day run of the play at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum June 19-21 will feature an all African-American cast directed by Ben Bradley. L.A. Drama Critics named Bradley "Best L.A. Director 2008." He is also considered one of the best interpreters of the late Wilson's work. "Fences" has been recognized with a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award.
Valley resident Gary Hoffman, a producer and founder of the Royal Larkspur Play Troupe, is spearheading the first-ever production of "Fences" in Idaho.
"It started because of Sandra Hofferber at The Community Library, who has made the Smithsonian exhibition 'Between Fences' possible," Hoffman said. "The library agreed to co-sponsor the production, and I needed seven talented African-American actors to make it work."
Hoffman worked his Los Angeles and Boise theater contacts to make the production possible. None of the actors in "Fences" have ever been to Idaho.
"August Wilson is the pre-eminent writer of the African-American experience and 'Fences' could not be more suited for the Smithsonian's exhibition and current times," Hoffman said. "It is very personal human experience and there are many references to the history of slavery, the living conditions of African-Americans during slavery and the constant struggle to achieve a dream many Americans have taken for granted."
Wilson wrote "Fences" in 1984. It first debuted at the Yale Repertory Theater in New Haven, Conn., in 1985. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth play in Wilson's 10-part "Pittsburgh Cycle." The Pittsburgh plays explore the ever-changing African-American experience and American race relations.
"All other immigrants came to the U.S. for a better life and opportunity," Hoffman said. "For African-Americans, it was the opposite. There was no choice or opportunity for freedom. Freedom was achieved through pain, suffering and condescension."
The cast for "Fences" consists of some of Los Angeles' most talented film, television and theater stars. The cast includes Rico Anderson as Lyons, Demond Robertson as Cory Maxson, Keith Bolden as Gabriel Maxson, Bernard K. Addison as Troy Maxson, Veralyn Jones as Rose Maxson, R.K. Williams as Bono and Dominique Nelson as Raynell Maxson.
The Smithsonian exhibition "Between Fences" will continue through July 4 at The Community Library in Ketchum. For details, call 726-3493.
The Smithsonian exhibition "Between Fences" will continue through July 4 at The Community Library in Ketchum. For details, call 726-3493.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.comsome of Los Angeles' most talented film, television and theater stars. The cast includes Rico Anderson as Lyons, Demond Robertson as Cory Maxson, Keith Bolden as Gabriel Maxson, Bernard K. Addison as Troy Maxson, Veralyn Jones as Rose Maxson, R.K. Williams as Bono and Dominique Nelson as Raynell Maxson.
The Smithsonian exhibition "Between Fences" will continue through July 4 at The Community Library in Ketchum. For details, call 726-3493.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Bernard Addison stars in August Wilson’s "Fences," starting Friday at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum.
