Climbing (to) “Fences”
Fifteen years ago I caught a glimpse of Denzel Washington’s infamous, solitary, “Glory”-ous tear; the steady stream won him his first Academy Award. Eight years ago I was stunned when Halle Berry became the first black actress to win the Best Actress Oscar, and something like sedated when Denzel Washington followed behind her, winning Best Actor for “Training Day” and continuing a historic trend.I held back a few of my own tears several moments ago as the voracious Viola Davis garnered her second Tony Award for her performance in “Fences,” with Washington — again — close behind: driving in the nails of what, for me, are historic victories for black performers of almost a religious nature.August Wilson was and continues to be a beacon of hope for African American performing artists and audiences, with help from gifted theatre, film, and art-makers like those just honored for their work climbing fences and breaching the wide open spaces from which non-white performers were once barred.– Lauren Neal, Broadway Magazine
