part of the cycle

Pulitzer Prizes for drama aren’t easy to come by, but during his illustrious career, August Wilson managed to win two — one for The
Piano Lesson and one for Fences. Both are part of his 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle, a chronicle of the 20th-century black experience in Pittsburgh’s Hill District (with one exception) that is told one decade at a time. Fences, which begins in 1957 and ends in 1965, focuses on the 1950s and the burgeoning civil rights movement in a story that’s filtered through garbage men, baseball, family and adultery. It’s being staged this weekend at the Westport Coffee House Theatre (4010 Pennsylvania, 816-756-3222). Tickets are $20; call 816-569-1413 for reservations. Curtain rises at 3 p.m. today.— Danny Volin

Fri., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 19, 3 p.m., 2010