Troy Maxson has stepped up to the plate too many times in his life only to go down swinging. Shut out of the big leagues by prejudice, the former Negro League homerun king is now a garbage collector with little future. He tries to do right by his family, but when his youngest son Cory shows promise on the high school football team, Troy must come to terms with his past disappointments or risk tearing his family apart.
Set in the 1950s, “Fences” is the sixth entry in August Wilson’s “Century Cycle,” a decade-by-decade exploration of the black experience in 20th-century America. ICT celebrates the 30th anniversary of this modern American classic, a Pulitzer Prize winner and two-time Tony Award winner (1987 “Best Play” and 2010 “Best Revival”) that is Wilson at his best: challenging the American dream through a poetic, powerful and deeply personal story.
Culture Spot LA readers can score a pair of tickets to the show on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m. Email editor@culturespotla.com with “Fences” in the subject line for a chance to win. Winners will be chosen and notified this Friday, Aug. 14.
“Fences” runs Aug. 21 through Sept. 13 at the International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach 90802. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $34-$48. Call (562) 436-4610, or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.