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UCSC's ‘Fences' shimmers with passion in an unqualified triumph


BY Ann Bennett
Theater Writer


One of the reasons I love local theater is its total unpredictability. Over any given period of time I see an assortment of plays Ñgood, bad, and indifferent. But when the show turns out to be such a splendid production that you are completely drawn into its beauty and its drama, the experience brings on a rush of appreciation for the cast and crewÑand renders a reviewer’s comments inadequate.

Such a triumph is this year's offering by the UCSC African-American Theater Arts Troupe, which opened last weekend at Stevenson College on the UCSC campus August Wilson's Pulitzer prize winning drama, "Fences" the company's selection for its seventh season, is a strong and emotionally gripping play, and AATAT's production shimmers with passion from its opening moments to the final curtain. The play is a stunning piece of drama, and the company more than does justice to it

"Fences" is more than just a story about racial prejudice. It is a broader look at humanity, a recounting of a man's search for pride and dignity in the midst of shattered dreams. It's also a story of love and compromiseÑneither Of which are enough to raise a man above the frustration and bitterness that eventually destroy him The story goes beyond his personal pain and grief and its effect on the family around him; it touches us all with its raw beauty as it offers up a combined legacy of hate and love.

Wilson's perfectly crafted script is strong and elegant. His characters are well drawn and his dialogue is perfect. And AATAT grabs the drama and flies with it.

Direction by Don Williams is superb. The timing is excellent and the characters move with taut control. Williams doesn't allow any wasted movement or unnecessary action; the play's the thing and he knows it.

He also has an extraordinary cast of seven fine actors whose performances are outstanding. Aaron Woods portrays Troy Maxon with perfect understanding of the man's pain He moves with anguish and speaks with bitterness, afraid to fully accept the love he fears is undeserved.

Woods is a powerful force on the stage, and his performance never falters.

Nandi Ellis is splendid as his wife, Rose, offering up her complex role with gentleness, restraint, and finally unbridled emotion. Ellis deals with her family's surging emotions as she struggles to understand and deal with the anger and self-hate of her embittered husband.

An audience favorite is Jeree Brown, Jr., as Gabriel, her disabled brother-in-law. The role might have been written with Brown in mind: his performance is an uncanny interpretation of a beautiful innocent and his expressive face reflects every nuance of Gabuel's simple but exuberant and loving personality.

Allen Bumett provides a rich and warm performance as friend Jim Bono, capably moving through the emerging emotional storm with grace and generosity of spirit. Rameen Gasary and Corey Saucier offer up nicely contrasting characterizations of Troy's two very different sons each developing his individuality with fine insight, and Brittany

Williams brightens the stage with a small appearance as Raynell.

Set design by Dan Beck is fantastic Every aspect of his small house B impeccable and true to its locale; the yard is appropriately cluttery; and fine attention is paid to the many details inside and out. Costumes by Sia Chung are also excellentÑtypical of the time and the economics of the family.

"Fences" is an exceptionally strong play. The action takes place in the late 1950s and concludes in 1965, and Wilson is alert to the prejudices of that time as he explores the lives of four generations of Black Americans with great care and sensitivity. But Wilson is more than just a story teller. His characters radiate their love and their pain, and the audience is not permitted any easy escape. "Fences. is both a love story and a tragedy, and AATAT offers up the searing drama with excellent balance and a superb cast.

The remaining performances of "Fences" will be at Monterey Peninsula College on March 4-7, 12-15 and 2-22 at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees At 2 p m. For ticket information, phone ti4t-4218.

 


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