American Stage Theatre Company Opens its 2009-10 Season With August Wilson's FENCES, Headed by Director Timothy Douglas

American Stage Theatre Company performs its first play of the 2009-10 season with its next chapter in preeminent African-American playwright August Wilson's "Century Cycle", FENCES, running September 25 thru October 11, with previews September 19, 20, 23 and 24.

FENCES is August Wilson's towering masterpiece, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for "Best Play". Set in 1957, FENCES explores what holds families together (and drive them apart) in a powerful story filled with humor, love, hope, failure and triumph. The play follows Troy Maxon, a former Negro League baseball star whose prime came before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. After Troy's rapid rise ends, he is forced to let go of his dreams and deal with his headstrong football playing son who has a chance to go so much further than he did.

Renowned director Timothy Douglas will head this installment of American Stage's productions of the August Wilson "Century Cycle". Douglas directed the world premiere of August Wilson's final play, RADIO GOLF, at the Yale Repertory Theatre.

"We are very excited to continue our yearly tradition of being the only theatre company of our size to produce every one of August Wilson's ten plays over ten years," said Todd Olson, American Stage's producing artistic director. "FENCES is one of Wilson's most prestigious plays, and I can't wait for our audiences to see what we have planned for them."

FENCES stars Kim Sullivan as Jim Bono, Evander Duck Jr. as Troy Maxson, Jayne Trinette as Rose, Reginald Kent Robinson Jr. as Lyons, Ron Bobb-Semple as Gabriel, Travus Lerox as Cory and Trinity Edwards as Raynell.

Performances and ticket prices are as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening curtain is at 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday evening curtain is at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinee curtain is at 3 p.m.
The Saturday, September 19 previews are 3 and 8 p.m.
The Sunday, September 20 preview is "Pay What You Can" and will be at 3 p.m.

Tickets prices are $24-$39 depending on date and time of performance.

Students Rush tickets are $10, 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Please call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY (7529) or go to www.americanstage.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

American Stage Theatre Company is located at the Raymond James Theatre, 163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

American Stage Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. The company's mission is to create the most satisfying live theatre in the Tampa Bay area, accessible to all members of the community. Their vision is to preserve the greatest human stories from our past, while creating the most defining stories and storytelling of our time. American Stage presents its six play Mainstage Series in its brand new, 182-seat Raymond James Theatre each year. The very popular American Stage in the Park celebrates its 25th Anniversary year. The theatre's other programming includes: "After Hours" Series, School Tour, and camps and classes for children. The Hough Family Foundation is the Season Sponsor, Raymond James is the Mainstage Sponsor, Bank of America is the Education Partner and WUSF 89.7 is the Radio Sponsor of American Stage. This production is sponsored by Alfred T. May and co-sponsored by the American Stage Theatre Company Board of Trustees and the Law Offices of Diane Bailey Morton. The August Wilson Century Cycle is sponsored by Norm and MirElla Smith, Dick and Sandi Averitt, Power Broker Magazine and the Weekly Challenger.