The opening night for “Fences” at Ford’sTheater in Washington, DC had its share of exciting highlights. Among the guests witnessing the performance were August Wilson’s oldest daughter Sakina Ansari-Wilson and D.C. congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Opening night was also special since it marked the anniversary of  August Wilson’s, Fence’s playwrite, death. He died of liver cancer October 2, 2005. However, Wilson’s critically acclaimed play lives on at Ford’s until Sunday, October 27.

The play tells the story of Troy Maxson, a 53-year-old ex-baseball player turned sanitation worker, who wanted to play in the Negro Baseball leagues. One of the most engaging components of “Fences” is its ability to connect the audience with the raw emotions of the main character, played by Craig Wallace, as demonstrated through his relationship with his youngest son Cory, played by Justin Weaks.

The youngest son’s passion is football. Cory looks up to his dad and wants to follow in his footsteps. Troy, however, wants him to have nothing to do with football. Instead, he wants Cory to keep his after school job and focus on making himself a working man. Troy’s strained relationships with his sons, his lack of a professional baseball career, and his discontentment with his work life all contribute to an unhappy disposition.

In the second act, we discover that not only has Troy cheated on his wife, but he has gotten his mistress pregnant. When the mother dies in childbirth, Troy ask his dutiful wife, Rose, played by Erika Rose, if they can bring the child into their home. Rose agrees, although she never looks at Troy the same again.

With a run time of 2 hours and 45 minutes, Fences is not a performance to take lightly. The dramatic piece takes the audience through so many emotions in the life of Troy Maxson.

Ultimately, the serious drama begs us to reflect on whom and what in our lives causes us joy and sorrow. The actual fence Troy is building throughout the performance is symbolic of the choices we make despite the curve balls life throws at us. It begs us to question can we maintain the positivity in our lives, while keeping the negativity out.