August Wilson's 'Fences' Delivers Powerful Performances at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

DC theatre lovers looking for exceptional drama need only make the short trip to nearby Baltimore, where Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is presenting a stunning production of August Wilson's "Fences" through March 8, 2026. As the sixth installment in the citywide Baltimore August Wilson Celebration, this production stands as one of the finest interpretations of Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork to grace local stages.

Fences at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

Set in 1957 Pittsburgh, "Fences" tells the story of Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player whose dreams were crushed by both racism and timing. Now working as a garbage collector, Troy channels his disappointment into controlling those around him, particularly his wife Rose and their son Cory, who harbors his own athletic dreams. The fence Troy promises to build around their small backyard becomes a powerful metaphor throughout the play, representing both the barriers he erects and the love he struggles to express.

Director Reginald L. Douglas brings remarkable clarity and emotional depth to Wilson's text, allowing each moment to breathe and resonate. The production moves with deliberate pacing that honors the accumulation of resentment, love, and truth that defines the Maxson family's journey. Douglas creates an intimate experience that feels deeply lived-in, never rushing through Wilson's rich language but instead letting the performances bloom naturally within the story's framework.

At the heart of this production is DeJeanette Horne's commanding performance as Troy Maxson. Horne delivers a portrayal that is simultaneously powerful and heartbreaking, capturing Troy's bitterness without losing sight of his vulnerability. His Troy is a man haunted by missed opportunities, whose booming voice and larger-than-life stories mask a deep well of pain. Horne navigates the character's complexity with remarkable skill, making us understand Troy's love for his family even as we witness him repeatedly wound them. Whether he's playfully bantering with friends, challenging the heavens in a devastating solo moment, or facing the consequences of his betrayals, Horne keeps Troy fully human and tragically compelling.

The emotional centerpiece of the production belongs to Lolita Marie as Rose Maxson. Marie's Rose is warm, steady, and quietly formidable, a woman who has built her entire life around her husband's orbit. When Troy's infidelity is revealed, Marie delivers a monologue that has left audiences stunned. Her declaration that she planted herself in Troy but the soil was hard and rocky strikes with devastating precision. It's a moment of reckoning where Rose finally claims her own worth and future, delivered with such raw power that it becomes the defining moment of the entire production. Marie's ability to maintain Rose's strength and dignity even in her deepest pain is nothing short of extraordinary.

The supporting cast brings equal depth to their roles. Isaiah C. Evans portrays Cory with a determination and hope that stands in stark contrast to his father's bitterness, and the escalating conflict between father and son builds to an explosive confrontation that feels both inevitable and heartbreaking. Aaron P. Watkins brings warmth and authenticity to Bono, Troy's loyal friend, creating a bond that feels lived-in and genuine. Evan T. Carrington's Lyons carries himself with a pride that creates fascinating friction in every exchange with Troy.

Particularly moving is Shakill Jamal's portrayal of Gabriel, Troy's brother who suffered brain damage in World War II. Jamal creates a character that moves seamlessly between joyful simplicity and paranoid tragedy, especially in the play's final moments when Gabriel attempts to blow his horn. The scene's mix of heartbreak and grace provides a powerful emotional release.

Timothy Jones's set design captures the modest beauty of the Maxson's Pittsburgh backyard with stunning authenticity, from the carefully tended garden boxes to the rag-ball hanging from a tree. The space feels both intimate and expansive, serving as a perfect canvas for the family's struggles. Chris Lane's sound design enhances the production beautifully, with music choices that underscore the emotional landscape without overwhelming Wilson's language.

The chemistry between the performers is palpable throughout, with moments of tenderness and humor balancing the production's heavier themes. The early scenes of Troy and Rose's playful banter create a foundation that makes the later betrayals all the more devastating. The production honors Wilson's exploration of dreams deferred, love tested, and the complicated legacies we leave behind.

"Fences" runs through March 8, 2026, at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, located at 7 South Calvert Street in Baltimore. Tickets range from $29 to $70 and can be purchased by calling 410-244-8570, visiting the box office in person, or ordering online at the company's website. For DC-area theatre lovers, this production is well worth the trip north to witness what stands as a testament to the enduring power of August Wilson's writing and the artists who continue to bring his stories to life with exceptional care and conviction.