Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre is happy to present the American drama “Fences” February 16-18 as part of its art house cinema program.
Produced, directed by, and starring Denzel Washington and written by Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson, “Fences” is an American period drama film, based on Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. The film also stars Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sidney.
The film tells the story of Troy (portrayed by Washington), a 53-year-old head of household, and his family, for which he struggles to provide. Troy was a star player in Negro league baseball in his younger days, but, due to the color barrier, he was unable to get into the league to make good money or to save for the future. He has aged and now works as a trash collector.
The film has received many accolades. It was chosen by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten films of 2016, and was nominated for numerous awards, including Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Washington), Best Supporting Actress (Davis) and Best Adapted Screenplay for at the 89th Academy Awards, with Davis winning for her performance.
August Wilson: A Local Connection
“Fences” is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. August Wilson, the American playwright, was born in the Hill District of Pittsburgh in 1945. His work included a series of ten plays, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. “Fences” was one of these pieces. Each work in The Pittsburgh Cycle takes place in a different decade, and depicts comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the 20th century. Wilson is a celebrated son of Pittsburgh, and in 2009, The August Wilson Center for African American Culture opened in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. The Center includes galleries, classrooms, a 500-seat theater, a gift shop, a cafe, and many multi-purpose spaces for visual and performing art.
Why Go to the Movie Theatre?
Get off the couch and stop binge watching by yourself! Hollywood movies are meant to be seen with others, in a movie theater, on the BIG screen. The actors are figuratively and literally larger than life! Get together with other movie lovers. Engage in thought-provoking conversation. You will learn more about the art and history of cinema, too.
See “Fences”at Towngate
Fences is playing at Towngate February 16-18. Show times are 7pm Friday, February 16; 4pm and 7pm Saturday, February 17 and 2pm and 4pm Sunday, February 18. Popcorn, soft drinks, beer and wine are available for purchase at all showings.