I suspect a lot of sisters will be making their way to Broadway next spring. That’s because The New York Post is reporting that one of our favorite brothers, Denzel Washington, is set to star in a revival of the late August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play,  ”Fences”. Can you say WOO-HOO? Washington will step into some weighty shoes too, the role was originated by none other than James Earl Jones (for which he won a Tony award). The Oscar winner will play Troy Maxson, a former baseball player with a record. (Yes Wilson’s character often carry lots of baggage).

It’s been a minute since “The Mighty Quinn” hit the boards—five years to be exact! His last time out he had a wildly successful run of “Julius Caesar” (which I can’t believe I missed). The Post thinks that Washington’s following a whole lot of other marquee names to Broadway  (Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig, James Gandolfini, and Jude Law) but personally I think he’s in a different league.Have they forgotten that the brother was doing theater before he was an A-lister? He was riveting in “A Soldier’s Play” (which makes me forgive him for the regrettable “Carbon Copy”, which came out around the same time) and was totally amazing in  the Joseph Papp Production of “Richard III” in Shakespeare in the Park  too (glad to say I saw that). Plus, he’s more New York than Hollywood (at least to me).

Anyway, “Fences” is supposed to be directed by Kenny Leon (who gave us Puffy, Diddy or whatever he was calling himself at the time in the revival of “A Raisin in the Sun”). That could make me  potentially nervous… but then again I don’t think Denzel would let them cast what can only be described as a ‘dabbler’ in any production that he’s involved in. Frankly, I want to see a cast with stage cred. They should try to get Viola Davis (who picked up a Tony for another August Wilson play, “King Hedley”) to play the role of Rose, Troy’s wife. It was originated by the stellar  and underappreciated, Mary Alice  (Lettie from “A Different World”).

Now even if you don’t live in New York I think I’m giving you enough notice to make plans. Start saving up your duckets now. And if you can’t make it in April don’t fret. If all goes well Denzel will be in the role until July. Okay, everybody say WOO-HOO again!

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