The pittsburgh playwrights theatre company in association with the august wilson center presents. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, it is chronologically the first work in august wilsons decadebydecade cycle dramatizing the african american experience during the 20th centuryan unprecedented series that includes the pulitzer prizewinning plays fences and the piano lesson. Scott caldwell, preston butler iii, cleavant derricks and matt orduna with director kent gash. Buy a cheap copy of gem of the ocean book by august wilson. Almost all set in pittsburghs historic hill district wilsons birthplace, they touch on everything from the birth of the blues to urban redevelopment. Dec 07, 2004 walls turn into water in the second act of gem of the ocean, the grandly evangelical new play by august wilson that opened last night at the walter kerr theater.
Through humor, drama, gem of the ocean gem of the ocean is set in 1904 in the hill district of pittsburgh, pennsylvania at 1839 wylie avenue. August wilson classic returns to the bay area in a reimagined, jazzinspired staging. Mtcs production of gem of the ocean, under the direction of daniel alexander jones. August wilson continues his twentiethcentury cycle with gem of the ocean, set in 1904. Gem of the ocean word on plays 2006 american conservatory. The play is set in 1904 at 1839 wylie avenue in pittsburgh s hill. August wilsons gem of the ocean marin theatre company. Aunt ester, a 285yearold former slave, takes wandering fugitive citizen barlow into. One thread leads to thomas abeckett who claimed to have rewritten shaws lyrics before the song was ed. Earlier in epub 2005, on the completion of the final work of his ten play cyclesurely the most ambitious american dramatic project undertaken in our history august wilson disclosed his bout with cancer, an illness of unusual ferocity that. By august wilson directed by mark clayton southers. Completing the twentiethcentury cycle is the first volume devoted to the last five plays of the cycle individuallyjitney, seven guitars, king hedley ii, gem of the ocean, and radio golfand in the context of wilsons entire body of work. The penultimate entry in august wilsons 10play cycle on africanamerican life in pittsburgh is set in 1904.
Gem of the ocean south coast repertory p3 the cast of august wilsons gem of the ocean. He is plunged into the hold of the ship, gem of the. Spirituality in gem of the ocean breaking character. Gem of the ocean, the first play in his pittsburgh cycle.
Did critics think august wilsons gem of the ocean is a. Gem of the ocean is the first in august wilson s ten play cycle that chronicles the africanamerican experience in the twentieth century. Pdf august wilsons century cycle is as much a theatrical experiment of black cultural history and sociology as it is one of storytelling. Wilson gives us a way to talk about the 2016 problems of how to rejoin the community after doing wrong, and the divides between law enforcement and those they are intended to serve. Jan 15, 2016 gem of the ocean by august wilson my rating. Playwright august wilson is back on broadway with gem of the ocean, a show that was delayed by financial problems, but opened at the walter kerr. Scott caldwell, preston butler iii, cleav ant derricks and matt orduna with director kent gash. The ensemble cast, including eugene lee and raynor scheine in smaller roles, is universally strong, and with this enchanting production enhancing wilsons eloquent text, gem of the ocean would be. I often think directors notes are redundant, hoping that the production stands for itself and audiences. Set in 1904, august wilson s gem of the ocean begins on the eve of aunt esthers 287th birthday. Each play is located in a different decade, and gem of the ocean takes place in 1904.
Joe turners come and gone, gem of the ocean, and the piano lesson, august wilson guides several of his main characters toward lifealtering revelatory experiences that contain strong elements of ritual and mysticism. Gem of the ocean recently played across the country and on broadway, with phylicia rashad as aunt esther. The ensemble cast, including eugene lee and raynor scheine in smaller roles, is universally strong, and with this enchanting production enhancing wilson s eloquent text, gem of the ocean would be. August wilsons gem of the ocean gives a 300yearold. Gem of the ocean is the first in august wilsons ten play cycle that chronicles the africanamerican experience in the twentieth century. Set in 1904, gem of the ocean is chronologically the earliest in. Dec 07, 2004 playwright august wilson is back on broadway with gem of the ocean, a show that was delayed by financial problems, but opened at the walter kerr theatre on december 6. Gem of the ocean by august wilson 9781559362801 paperback. Phylicia rashad performs scene from august wilsons gem of the ocean. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean is also imbued with the memories of the forced. In the old testament, esther was the jewish wife of the king of persia. In gem spectators are provided with more insight into the history of african americans than is usually learned from history books. In this piece, aunt esther, a fiery 285yearold matriarch, welcomes into her hill district home solly two kings, who was born into slavery and scouted for the union army, and citizen barlow, a young man from alabama. August wilsons gem of the ocean gives a 300yearold her.
Seven years later, the university of central floridas production of. Earlier in 2005, on the completion of the final work of his ten play cyclesurely the most ambitious american dramatic project undertaken in our historyaugust wilson disclosed his bout with cancer, an illness of unusual ferocity that would. Broadway theater playwright august wilson presents gem of the ocean, the first play in a tenplay cycle about the africanamerican experience during the modern twentieth century. The afternoon will feature staged readings of gem of the ocean from philadelphia theatre favorite cathy. Pdf gem of the ocean explores fundamental issues of the african. Nomos, mysticism, and power objects in august wilsons joe. After being accused, he jumps into an ice cold river, drowning himself. Citizen barlow arrives at aunt esters house seeking her help and a safe place from caesar, the local constable. Gem of the ocean by august wilson 1,018 ratings, 4. Set in 1904, august wilsons gem of the ocean is the ninth work in his century cycle, which has recorded the american black experience and helped to define generations. August wilsons gem of the ocean features the potent power of aunt ester, wilsons gatekeeper to spiritual matters, and the hearts of the hill residents she loves.
Gem of the ocean opens late at night at 1839 wylie avenue in 1904. In gem of the ocean, wilson depicts a young black man citizen barlows journey of redemption through the help of a spiritual adviser aunt ester. Gem of the ocean is a play by american playwright august wilson. The cambridge companion to august wilson, edited by christop her bigsby.
Complete summary of august wilson s gem of the ocean. August wilsons gem of the ocean concord theatricals. In this piece, aunt esther, a fiery 285yearold matriarch, welcomes into her hill district home solly two kings, who was born into slavery and scouted for the union army, and. Other articles where gem of the ocean is discussed. Wilson actually only wrote one play after gem of the ocean, namely radio golf 2005, which is also the last play in historical term since it deals with the last decade in the twentieth century.
August wilson, pittsburgh playwright who chronicled black experience. Aunt ester, a spirited and spiritually connected 285yearold matriarch who carries the memories of her ancestors. August wilsons gem of the ocean a dramaturgical case study. Eli, the gatekeeper, looks after aunt ester and her protg, black mary. Gem of the ocean quotes by august wilson goodreads. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, it is chronologically the first work in august wilson s decadebydecade cycle dramatizing the african american experience during the 20th centuryan unprecedented series that includes the pulitzer prizewinning plays fences and the piano lesson. Yet to understand the true origins of shaws song one must follow two threads. Did critics think august wilsons gem of the ocean is a jewel.
Gem of the ocean opens late at night at 1839 wylie avenue in. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean follows a longlived, fiercewilled matriarch and the two men she welcomed into her hill district home. It is the first installment of his decadebydecade, tenplay chronicle, the pittsburgh cycle, dramatizing the africanamerican experience in the twentieth century. Ester has become known as a wise woman who can cleanse souls. I often think directors notes are redundant, hoping that the production stands for itself and. When citizen barlow comes to her pittsburghs hill district home seeking asylum, she sets him off on a spiritual journey to find a city in the middle of the atlantic ocean. Set in 1904, august wilsons gem of the ocean begins on the eve of aunt esthers 287th birthday.
Gem of the ocean for more than twenty years, august wilson has been chronicling the africanamerican experience in the 20th century through his acclaimed cycle of plays, one for each decade. Perhaps the most memorable moments in the play are when the. Wilson completed the cycle with radio golf, first produced in 2005. Gem of the ocean by august wilson is a play that takes place in 1904 in the home of aunt ester, a 285yearold african american woman. Aug 09, 2012 aunt esterin gem of the ocean, she is a very old, yet vital spiritual advisor for the community wilson, p.
Marin theatre company continues its 49 th season with august wilsons gem of the ocean set in 1904, pittsburgh, gem marks the beginning of wilsons 10play centurycycle dramatizing the africanamerican experience during the 20 th century. When citizen barlow, in spiritual turmoil, arrives at aunt esters house claiming sanctuary from caesar, the local constable, he sets into motion a series of events that includes a journey to the city of bones, which leads to startling discoveries and sets him on a course where duty leads. In gem of the ocean, the penultimate entry in august wilsons decadeby decade cycle. Gem of the ocean and the redemptive p ower of history. Many former slaves and descendants venturing north find themselves at aunt esters door in pittsburghs hill district. Discovering aunt ester in gem of the ocean by august wilson. Mill valley, camarin theatre company continues its 49th season with august wilsons gem of the ocean. The play is set in 1904, the hill district, pittsburgh, pennsylvania, in the parlor of eli.
Columbia, the gem of the ocean received an american in 1843 and is credited to the name of david t. One thread leads to thomas abeckett who claimed to have rewritten shaws lyrics before the. Gem of the ocean south coast repertory p3 the cast of august wilson s gem of the ocean. It is a young man named citizen barlow, demanding to see aunt ester, an old woman with a magical reputation for washing peoples souls. Like most though not all of the plays in the cycle, gem is set in pittsburgh. No one except perhaps eugene oneill and tennessee williams has aimed so high and achieved so much in the american theater.
Gem of the ocean by august wilson directed by kent gash october 14 november 11, 2017 segerstrom stage. Monologue compendium for gem of the ocean, download pdf. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean is the play that begins august wilsons tenplay cycle dramatizing the african american experience during the twentie. Walls turn into water in the second act of gem of the ocean, the grandly evangelical new play by august wilson that opened last night at the walter kerr theater. Engage your students during remote learning with video readalouds. Aunt esterin gem of the ocean, she is a very old, yet vital spiritual advisor for the community wilson, p. Eli prepares to head to bed when there is a violent knock at the door. The story of the mill begins with an innocent black man being accused of stealing a bucket of nails.