Tuesday, November 1, 2011



I believe that Denzel Washington would be a good chose for an actor to play the role of Lyons Maxson.

Lyons Maxson is Troy's son that he fathered before his time in jail with a woman he met before becoming a baseball player and before he met Rose. For most of Lyons childhood he grew up without Troy because Troy was in prison. Lyons does not live with Troy, Rose and Cory, but comes by the Maxson house. He is an ambitious and talented jazz musician. Like most musicians he has a hard time making a living. So he mostly depends on his girlfriend, Bonnie whom we never see on stage for income, and frequently goes to his father’s Troy’s house on Troy's payday to ask for money. To Troy Lyons' jazz playing seems to be an unconventional and foolish profession. Troy calls jazz, "Chinese music," because he sees the music as strange and unreasonable. Lyons' humanity and belief in himself garners respect from others. I believe that Denzel Washington would be grate to  portray Lyons  easy going and lad back personality, not only that but he has also played a jazz musician before.

Monday, October 31, 2011


I believe that Danny Glover would be a good chose for an actor to play the role of Gabriel Maxson.

Gabriel Maxson is Troy's brother. Gabriel received a head injury as a soldier in the Second World War that required a metal plate to be surgically implanted into his head. Do to this damage and his service, Gabriel receives government checks from that Troy used to buy the Maxson's home where the play takes place. Gabriel displays a child-like enthusiasm and a need to please, and would wanders around the neighborhood carrying a basket and singing. He thinks he is not a person, but the Archangel Gabriel who opens the gates of heaven with his trumpet for Saint Peter on Judgment Day. Which is proven at the end of the play when he tries to play his trumpet, fails, then dances thereby opening up the gates of heaven. I belive that Gabriels child like personality  would be well-portrayed by Danny Glover, and while I don't remember him ever playing someone exactly like Gabriel. I do believe that he has the skills and acting background needed to poll this character of.

I believe that Raven-Symoné is the perfect actress to play the role of Raynell Maxson.

Raynell Maxson is Troy's illegitimate child, mothered by his mistress Alberta. She is introduces in to the play as an infant. Her innocent, and need for care convinces Rose to take the responsibility of caring for her, and allowing Troy back into her life. “she's innocent ... and… A motherless child has got a hard time. From right now ... this child got a Mother.”Raynell is the only child fathered by Troy Maxson that will live with few emotional scars from Troy. She is considers to be the symbol of new hope for the future. Raven-Symoné performing as Olivia Kendall in The Cosby Show is just the innocent’s need to portray the role and personality of Raynell Maxson .


I believe that Mykelti Williamson would be a grate chose for the role of Jim Bono.
Jim Bono is Troy's best friend of thirty years, and is usually called "Bono" or "Mr. Bono" by the everyone in Fences. Bono met Troy in jail, where Troy learned to play baseball. He the only one who recalls Troy's days of hitting home runs in the Negro Leagues. “Ain’t but two men ever played baseball as good as you.”(pg1110). Bono admires Troy's truthfulness and his capability for hard work. He spends every Friday after work in Troy’s backyard drinking beers and telling stories with Troy. An example of this story time is at the beginning of the play act1 scene1 were Troy is telling a story about someone with a watermelon. He’s married to a woman named Lucille, who is friends with Rose. Bono is a husband and friend. Mykelti Williamson has proven that he can play the personality needed for the role of a the close, and devoted friend like Jim Bono in Forrest Gump where he played Forrest best friend Bubba Blue,
 

I believe that Janet Jackson would be a terrific actor to play the role of Rose Maxson
Rose Maxson is Troy's wife and mother of his second child, Cory. Rose is a forty-three year-old African American housewife who loves her family very much. Unlike Troy, Rose is a realist, not a romantic longing for the old days of yore. She has high hopes for her son, Cory and sides with him in his wish to play football. Rose also has a strong love and loyalty to her husband Troy and their marriage. She shows this by accepting Troy's illegitimate daughter, Raynell, as her own child. "Okay, Troy ... I'll take care of your baby for you ... cause like you say ... she's innocent ... and you can't visit the sins of the father upon the child. A motherless child has got a hard time. From right now ... this child got a Mother. But you are a womanless man." I chose Janet Jackson on the bases of her terrific performance in the movie Why Did I Get Married? Her performing as Patricia a strong but devoted wife having struggles in her marring, I believe proves that she would be able to portrayed Rose’s personality in all form.



James Earl Jones Picture


I think that James Earl Jones would be the perfect person to play the role of Troy Maxson. Troy Maxson Is the protagonist of Fences, a fifty-three year-old, African American who has a lot of pride for his role as the breadwinner. He’s a big, strong, hard-working man who likes to telling convincing fictional stories. He is a troubled, and bitter man ,do to not being able to accomplish his dreams to play in the Major Leagues. Troy also often fails to provide the love and support that would mean the most to his family. For example when Cory ask his father likes him Troy says "who in the hell ever said I had to like you." "You live in my house — sleep your behind in my bedclothes, fill your belly up with my food, 'cause you my son," "'Cause it's my duty to take care of you. I owe a responsibility to you. ... And liking your black ass wasn't part of the bargain." 

When I read of Troy Maxson James Earl Jones abruptly came to mind. Mr. Jones has the acting skills and the physical described needed for the role of Troy. On the plus side he also has a strong and demanding voice that a person just can't help but listening to. Which I believe that Troy must of had if people were so willing to listening to him.


Aldis Hodge

 I believe that Aldis Hodge would be good for the role of Cory Maxson .
Cory Maxson who is the teenage son of Troy and Rose Maxson. He’s a senior in high school that gets good grades and has college recruiters come to see him play football. Cory is a respectful son, who in the beginning of the play wants nothing more than his father’s approval and to get along with him. He goes about this by try his best at being good at sports, and talking to about it Troy. An example of this is when he tries to talk sports with his father Troy in act 1 scene 3 page 1125. He is also a kind nephew to his disabled Uncle Gabriel, and in general, a giving and eager person. He is a determined young man who has the talent to realize his dreams. He proves his determination when he refuses to quite football agents his father’s wishes. “I ain’t quitting team. I don’t care what Poppa say.” (pg1139) Cory represents all the possibilities his father never had, everything Troy was denied , all his unmet dreams. For example Cory having recruiters looking at him, and having the chance to go prow when his father was not even considered, because he was black. I think Aldis Hodge is a talented actor. He  has shown that he has the talent to play a multitude of characters, and personality’s. As proven by his role as Hardison in the TV show Leverage, and he many other walk on roles I’ve seen him in.