Fences - Troy Maxon

Upon stumbling over my own thoughts, I came to the conclusion that Keith David would be the best actor to render Troy Maxon. He has a large stature with oversized hands and a larger than life personality. Moreover, Keith David has a deep powerful voice which often draws attention straight to him, and as a result becomes the conversation. However, this does not stop the fact that Troy is an aging older black man who is 53 to be exact, and lives up until the age of 60 when the devil (his personal struggle)  finally got him in the end. Keith David is also in his fifties, and usually stars in roles where he fosters some sort of command signifying his leadership abilities. This is  evident when Troy wields his influence over Bono who himself stated “my man Troy knows what he’s doing… I’m going to follow this Niger…he might take me somewhere”( Act 2, Scene 1, P. 1141). Keith David shows the same quality in “Armageddon” where he plays an air force general that pulls the strings; this is why I belive Keith to the only actor for this role. Furthermore, Keith is also able to capture Troy’s other side; the side that does not want his vicious family cycle of abuse to come full circle. I believe that the formal education he received at Julliard will allow him the privilege of coloring  Troys character with perplexed emotions while turning him into the aggressive, contradicting, mess that he truly is.

Fences - Jim Bono

I selected Samuel S Jackson to embody Jim Bono because he has a slightly smaller frame than that of  the actor I choose to portray Troy. The second reason for this is that Bono is not the alpha male in the thirty year friendship Troy is. Furthermore, Bono admires the way in which Troy works and carries himself throughout his day to day business. This is further expounded when Bono exclaims that "you showed me how to not make the same mistakes...to take life as it comes along and keep putting one foot in front of the other" ( Act2, Scene 1, p.1141). Samuel Jackson fits the bill neicly because, throughout his early acting career, he was indecisive to what he wanted to peruse until he met his mentor spike lee. Through Jacksons period of following he gained what he needed to become an accomplished actor. This is the same connection I see between Bono and Troy; Bono starts of as the follower, however, as time goes on Bono indecisively takes control and begins to try and guide Troy to do the right thing by not cheating on Rose. It is for this reason I choose Jackson to play Bono, so that he may transform the character from a follower to a leader on a more intimate level; giving the role the depth needed.

Fences - Rose Maxon

I picked Mary Alice Smith to play the role of Rose Maxon because of here easy going temperament and witty personality. This was precisely the type of women that Rose is. Mary Alice’s performance in “The Matrix”, “Raisin in the Sun”, “Catfish and Black Beans”, and “Heading Home” encompass Roses character throughout the play which is why I am confident that she will do the role justice. Furthermore, Rose is a trusting and patient wife who overlooks her Husband’s flaws. This is the same role Mary Alice played in “To Sleep with Anger”. She knows what she wants and doesn’t beat around the bush. I think that this is the best quality she has. Moreover, the play does not describe the degree of here beauty so we are left to assume that she is attractive. moreover this assumption is further exponded when Bono explains to Troy "I done known you seem my whole life [....] when you was hitting those basbals out the park. A lot of them gals was after you the" ( Act 1, Secen 1, p. 1141). Proving that she was quite a catch if troy had his pick. This is yet another similarity to Rose. Additionally, Roses Youth encompasses a life of turmoil and overindulgence that Mary Alice portrayed in “Sparkle” which was a film in the mid-nineteen seventies that depicted  a group of women gaining popularity and falling victim to the indulgences that came with. This becomes clear when reading the stage directory  which states "her devotion to him stems from her recognition of the possiblities of her life without him: a sucession of abusive men and their babies, a life of partying and running the streets" (Act 1, Scene 1, p. 1108). Over her long career, Mary Alice has gained an incredible insight into the human condition through her acting. However, I believe that casting her when she was 43 would be for the best since the play did state that ”she is ten years younger than Troy”.

Fences - Lyons

When deciding who to cast, I immediately thought of Chris Rock, and figured that the parallels between struggling Comedians and musicians are something he can relate to. Furthermore, the play gives the impression that Loyns is a skinny hip young man in his thirties that just will not give up on his dream of becoming a musician. I assume he is skinny because he is always on the run and never eats when Rose offers him something to eat. I believe Chris Rock has the energy and enthusiasm to portray Lyons in such a way that the characters passion for the music not be affected underscored. The play does not say much about Lyons, but Chris Rock is always ready to spice things up with some good old fashion button pushing. For example, Lyons goes on saying things such as “you can not change me, pop. I’m thirty-four years old. If you wanted to change me you should have been there when I was growing up. I come by to see you…ask for ten dollars and you want to talk about how I was raised. You do not know how I was Raised” ( Act 1, Scene 1, p. 1116). That usually gets on Troy’s nerve, and comedians typically have a talent for getting that same affect. Furthermore, I belive that Chric Rocks laid back mentality fit Lyons persona.

Fences - Gabriel

I decided to go with Paul Winfield as the actor who will portray Gabriel because the shape of his head seemed a little odd. This is similar to Gabriel’s description of having a plate in his head. His hair is a little messy to signify that he doesn’t take care of himself, and the actor looks a little challenged; to say the least. I would like to make clear that Paul Winfield is far from that. However, what he is known for is intense silent dancing. If am actor is to “dance of atavistic signature and ritual” ( Act 2, Scene 5, p. 1163) with a trumpet by his side, he or she, must  be masters of enthusiastic dance. Gabriel is the younger brother of Troy,  but later moved out, he always caries fruits and vegetables around in his pouch, and believes that his ultimate goal is to open ST Peters Gate wich is evident  when Gabriel yells " Hey, Rose. It's time. It's time to tell St. Peter to open the gates. Troy you ready"( Act 2, Scene 5, p. 1163). Then he starts screaming about chasing hell hounds. Paul Winfield is going to have to emirs himself in organized insanity in order to pull this role off, but I have confidence he can do it.

Fences - Cory Maxon

 

I picked Derek Luke to play Cory because of the resemblance he has to the actor I choose to play Troy. However, what I needed form a actor most was to play his role with a traditional New Jersey attitude. So, I found Derek Luke, a local boy born in Jersey City to play the role of a rebellious young teen planning on doing the complete opposite of what his father told him.  replying back things such as "what you gonna do... give me a whupping? You can't whup me no more. Your too old. You just an old man" ( Act 2, Scene 4, p. 1155). In the play Corey follows in his father’s footsteps as an athlete, but his father crushes his dreams In hopes of shielding him from the disappointment he had to face when he failed at those same dreams. This argument builds up till the end of the play when Cory leaves the house out of spite. I honestly think thatDerek's jersey roots will play to his advatage while playing this hard headed young man.

Fences - Raynell Maxon

I Choose actress Yara Shahid at age eight to play Raynell mainly because of here bubbly personality, and the fact that she is the same age as Rynell in Fences. In fences, Raynell was eight years old because the scene five stage directions told us eight years had passed from 1957. I first noticed her when watching Nickelodeon with my godson and decided that she reminded me of Rynell. Rynell is a typical little girl that is worried about the trivialities instead of the larger picture such as her father being buried that day. Instead, she preoccupied herself with the garden exclaiming “I’m right here seeing if the gardens growing. It does not look like it never going to grow” ( Act 2, Secen 5, p.1157). Other than that she just reunited with her long lost brothers who were either in the military or jail as In Lyons case.