By August Wilson

Directed by Terrence Spivey
August 8th – September 6th 2025
Outdoors at August Wilson House

“The downward spiraling of Troy is written in the agony and cruelty, sweat and tears expressed on Brown’s face…”
– Sharon Eberson, onStage Pittsburgh

Set in the 1950s, Fences evokes the early rumblings of the civil rights movement. The central character is Troy Maxson, a middle-aged resident of Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The play follows Troy’s struggle to accept the generational changes that allowed his son to succeed in ways Troy never could.

Fences will be presented as part of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle Experience, three August Wilson classics, all running in August 2025 at Madison Arts Center and August Wilson House. Each performance runs approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.

“Sixteen-year-old Cogsdell-Freeman is an amazing talent. In the scene where Troy refuses to express any affection for him, the look on his face is excruciating to witness…. The rich dialogue, commanding acting, and unique setting combine to tell a compelling story of life’s struggles, dreams, betrayal, victories, and hope — creating a memorable experience that cannot be matched–and more importantly–should not be missed.”
– Lonnie the Theater Lady, Burgh Vivant

Reviews: onStage Pittsburgh, Burgh Vivant, Pittsburgh Tatler, Trib Live

“The fact that the stripped-down and masterfully acted production has such a strong, beating heart is both a great tribute to August Wilson and even more reason not to miss it.”
– Alexis Papalia, Trib Live

Featuring

Fences is presented outdoors in the back yard of August Wilson House, 1727 Bedford Avenue in the Lower Hill.

• Please be prepared for cooler temperatures later in the evening, and perhaps brief rain.
• If storms are predicted, we will reschedule your performance. Ticketed patrons for that performance will be notified by email, two hours before performance time, and we’ll put rescheduling notices on our website and Facebook page.
• Seating is provided. We use comfortable padded chairs for all our productions.

Performances:

Fri Aug 8 2025, 7 PM
Sat Aug 9 2025, 7 PM
Sun Aug 10 2025, 7 PM
Thu Aug 14 2025, 7 PM
Fri Aug 15 2025, 7 PM
Sat Aug 16 2025, 8 PM
Sun Aug 17 2025, 7 PM
Wed Aug 20 2025, 7 PM
Thu Aug 21 2025, 7 PM
Fri Aug 22 2025, 7 PM
Sat Aug 23 2025, 8:30 PM (new time)
Sun Aug 24 2025, 7 PM
Fri Aug 29 2025, 7 PM
Sat Aug 30 2025, 7 PM
Sun Aug 31 2025, 7 PM
Fri Sep 5 2025, 7 PM
Sat Sep 6 2025, 7 PM

“August Wilson’s Fences” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Originally Produced on Broadway by Carole Shorenstein Hays, in association with Yale Repertory Theatre.
World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards, Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai, Managing Director); Second Production at The Goodman Theatre (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Managing Director). Initially given a staged reading at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference.

Production photos by Rebecca Ellis