Jazz Great Branford Marsalis to Compose Original Music for Broadway Revival of Fences

Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis will compose original music for the forthcoming Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Fences, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Kenny Leon’s production of the play will begin previews on April 14 and open on April 26 at the Cort Theatre for a strictly limited 13-week engagement.

“What a dream come true to be making my ‘Broadway debut’ composing music for this new production of August Wilson’s Fences,” Marsalis said in a statement. “I had the great opportunity to sit in during rehearsals over the weekend and observe Kenny Leon and these brilliant artists bringing this play to life. I look forward to the challenge of creating music that not only complements their performances but enhances the experience for those sitting in the theater.”

Marsalis, a three-time Grammy winner, has recorded 22 albums and is equally comfortable performing jazz with his quartet or classical solos with the some of the world’s leading orchestras. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans native joined forces with friend his Harry Connick Jr. to conceive the Habitat Musicians’ Village, a community of houses for musicians surrounding a performance and educational center in the Upper Ninth Ward.

Fences tells the story of Troy Maxson (Washington), a man torn between the glory of his past and the uncertainty of his future. Emboldened by pride and embittered by sacrifice, Troy is determined to make life better for future generations, even as he struggles to embrace the dreams of his own son.

In addition to Washington and Davis (Rose Maxson), the revival cast includes Chris Chalk as Cory, Stephen McKinley Henderson as Jim Bono, Russell Hornsby as Lyons and Mykelti Williamson as Gabriel, with Eden Duncan-Smith and SaCha Stewart-Coleman alternating in the role of Raynell.

Fences will be produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays (who also produced the play's original 1987 Broadway production) and Scott Rudin.