In 'Fences' premiere, energy is infectious

There are many ways to describe a show, but one of the last anyone expects to hear is: "It was like a Baptist church." That's what director and College senior Mark Baker said about audience reaction during last night's performance of Fences. The actors' abundance of energy proved infectious, as audience members laughed, booed and urged on the characters throughout the performance. Most of the audience seemed to identify with Rose Maxson, powerfully played by College junior Denise Long. During her most potent scenes with her husband Troy, played by Wharton junior Bill Roberts, the house was alive with oohs and ahs. In an intense two and a half hours, the only distractions were a couple of line hesitations during Roberts' dialogue. He more than made up for them, though, with his moving and perfectly delivered monologues. Also outstanding were College juniors Valeriani Bead as Troy's brain-damaged brother and Bill Gray as Troy's best friend, Jim. The play, which centers on Troy and his relationship with his family, fits perfectly in the Studio Theater. Gray's greatest accomplishment onstage was how well he related to the house, playing off the audience's emotions. The cast of relative newcomers works impressively as an ensemble. Each actor has a strong sense of character and is comfortable with his or her place in each situation. "It was very professionally done. The direction was superb," said College senior and University theater veteran Gideon Evans. Throughout Fences, which plays tonight and tomorrow night at 8 at the Annenberg Center, Troy Maxson keeps repeating one refrain: "I'm doing the best that I can." So is the new Afro-American Arts Alliance, which at its best, more than succeeds.