aapct_web.jpgMIAMI – The African American Performing Arts Community Theatre (AAPACT) is presenting its production of August Wilson’ monumental masterpiece Fences, directed by Teddy Harrell Jr. Performances will run Oct. 16 through Nov. 3 at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 N.W. 22nd Ave., Miami.

Starring in what a New York Daily News critic called “a blockbuster piece of American theater, a major American play” are Larry Robinson, Andre’ L. Gainey, Carolyn Johnson, Darryl Vaughn, Charles Bonamy, Roderick Randall and Lara Storm.
American playwright Wilson’s work included a series of ten plays, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the twentieth century.
In the stunning, dramatic Fences which won August Wilson his first Pulitzer, Troy Maxson has gone through life in a country where to be proud and black was to face pressures that could crush a man, body and soul. But the 1950s are yielding to the new spirit of liberation in the 1960s. It’s a spirit that is making him a stranger, angry and afraid, in a world he knew and to a wife and son he understands less and less. A New York Post critic called it “The strongest, most dramatic American writing since Tennessee Williams.”
“Building better communities through theatre” is the aim of the African American Performing Arts Community Theatre, conceived by Harrell and founded in 1999. The 501(c)3 nonprofit company is composed of local black actors, directors and stage technical professionals working to enhance and promote cultural awareness and education through the performing arts to inner city youth and theatergoers in Miami-Dade County and the surrounding South Florida community. All contributions are tax deductible.
Harrell produced AAPACT’s debut production, Athol Fugard’s The Island, in 2001. He has produced and directed many of the company’s productions including AAPACT’s 2013-2014 productions of James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner, Janet Langhart Cohen’s Anne & Emmett and last season’s Jelly Belly, Fathers and Other Strangers and Dutchman.
As an actor Harrell has been featured in numerous productions in South Florida including AAPACT’s The Island, Sizwe Bansi is Dead and Zooman and the Sign. He will produce and direct Katori Hill’s The Mountaintop in January 2014 for AAPACT.
Fences will run for three weekends instead of the usual four for AAPACT productions. The show will have its usual 14 performances. Regular evening performances are 8 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. Matinee Performances are Sundays at 3 p.m.
Regular Admission is $20. Notable events include:
On Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, AAPACT is offering preview performances at 8 pm. Admission is $10.
Friday, Oct. 18 is the Official Opening Night/Talk Back Nite Performance with showtime at 8 p.m. Admission is $15. (Free to the first 20 individuals to RSVP their name, mailing address, email and phone number by calling and leaving a message at 305-456-0287. Not applicable to groups).
On Saturday, Oct. 19 is the Gala Performance at 8 p.m.; admission is $25.
On Sunday, Oct. 20 will be the Industry/Social Media Friends Performance. Showtime is 3 p.m. Admission is
$15. (Free to the first 20 individuals to RSVP their name, mailing address, email and phone number by calling and leaving a message at 305-456-0287. Not applicable to groups).
Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more beginning at $15 per person for all shows except the Official Opening Performance. To RSVP for seats call 305-456-0287 (leave a message); purchase tickets at AAPACT online: aapact.com; email theatre@aapact.com
The box office opens an hour before showtime and the house opens 15 minutes before showtime. The running time for Fences is 2½ hours; there is a 10-minute intermission.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: African American Performing
Arts Community Theatre production of Fences
WHEN: Oct. 16 – Nov. 3
WHERE: African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Miami.
COST: Tickets $10 – $25
CONTACT: Call 305-456-0287
or visit aapact.com

JUAN E. CABRERA PHOTO

AAPACT DIRECTOR TEDDY HARREL JR.’S CAST: Starring in ‘a blockbuster piece of theater’ are, from left sitting, Carolyn Johnson, Lara Storm and Larry Robinson; standing, Roderick Randall, Darryl Vaughn, Andre’ L. Gainey and Charles Bonamy.