Hot Clip of the Day: The Heartbreaking Viola Davis "What About My Life?" FENCES Master Class Monologue

Last updated August 11th, 2020 by BroadwayBox Staff
Hot Clip of the Day: The Heartbreaking Viola Davis "What Ab…

Photo by Joan Marcus

Each day, the Bbox team trolls YouTube for the hot clip—sometimes it's a brand-new moment and sometimes it's a throwback to an oldie but goodie. No matter what praise hands are shot up, pearls are clutched and the repeat button is hit.

What About My Life from Fences (Viola Davis)


Ulterior Motives: On August 11th, one of the finest actors of our generation was born - Viola Davis. Her talent shines so brightly on stage, television ("How to Get Away with Murder"), film (Doubt and The Help) and it was this role as Rose in August Wilson's play Fences that earned her the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Oscar, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, Critics' Choice, BAFTA - and that's not even all of them. She portrayed the wife of former baseball player Troy Maxson opposite Denzel Washington on Broadway and in the film adaptation. This powerful monologue is a master class.

Ultimate 🙌 🙌 moment: Honestly - the entire 2 minutes and 34 seconds is brilliant. If we had to pick one moment - it was that very first moment 12 seconds in. You get a quick glimpse of the struggle and the pain Rose has endured while Troy is talking to her. Then there is the moment twelve seconds in where she stands up for herself. Rose reveals her pains and disappointments. Cheers to the audience who 47 seconds in gives her the applause she deserves. The honesty, the heartbreak... just a brilliant performance.