Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test

The Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test is our personal and highly opinionated Commuter's Guide to New York theater and cultural events, with an emphasis on Broadway and Off-Broadway theatrical productions. The test is simple: is an event worth the always expensive, time consuming, and too often horrendous struggle to commute to New York City from New Jersey, Long Island, Upstate New York or Connecticut? Only truly great or near-great performances and productions may meet this stiff challenge!

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Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States

James Camner is an antiquarian dealer of autographs, manuscripts and printed music and books of Opera, Classical Music, Theater, Dance, and Film, as well as a published author of more than 10 books on the performing arts including "How to Enjoy Opera" (Simon and Schuster), "The Great Opera Stars in Historic Photographs" (Dover), "Stars of American Musical Theater in Historic Photographs" (Dover - with Stanley Appelbaum); was for over 20 years a reviewer for Fanfare Magazine and has written feature articles and reviews for Opera News.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Fences, a play by August Wilson at the Cort Theater, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. The Cort has been a lucky place this season. First the searing revival of "A View From The Bridge" and now this towering American masterwork, "Fences", in a superlative revival. Denzel Washington (who did not find firm footing in his first foray on to Broadway as Brutus) is magnificent as the raging, disappointed Troy Maxson, a Negro Leagues baseball player who was too past his prime to play in the major leagues, while Viola Davis as his wife Rose attains greatness with her deep love of Troy and her family shining through her sorrow and anger. The Tony Awards (due to be awarded tomorrow) will rain down on this production and cast. The audience, very vocal, bursting into applause and laughter at every big moment, was in rapture. As we exited we noticed a lady sitting in a trance with a look of beatitude on her face. We saw the 1983 original with James Earl Jones who was a force of nature, Jupiter-like in his rage. Washington is equally powerful, less formidable and frightening at first, but building in strength and stature with every line. The entire cast is splendid. The direction, staging, sets, all perfection. This is not to be missed. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade. A+