Gem of the ocean south coast repertory p3 the cast of august wilsons gem of the ocean. A journey to the city of bones in gem of the ocean at mtc. Wilson recognizes that we can all use help escaping from the various chains of emotional slavery that oppress, maim and kill us, and that, for me, is the most powerful message in gem of the ocean. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean follows a longlived, fiercewilled matriarch and the two men she welcomed into her hill district home.
Many former slaves and descendants venturing north find themselves at aunt esters door in pittsburghs hill district. At the 2007 nbtf international colloquium presenters including wole soyinka, kwame dawes, ed bullins and over a dozen other scholars and writers shared works on the impact of august wilson, on his plays, and on the state of african and african. Aunt ester, a 285yearold former slave, takes wandering fugitive citizen barlow into. Set in 1904, gem of the ocean is chronologically the earliest in. Gem of the ocean is the first in august wilsons ten play cycle that chronicles the africanamerican experience in the twentieth century. Gem of the ocean is a play by american playwright august wilson. 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. Caesar wilkes a character in gem of the ocean by august wilson author portrayals. 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. Issues involving honesty, redemption, forgiveness, selflove, faith, life, and death all spin around in an oceanic swirl, commanding attention and are sure to leave a gut. 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. Gem of the ocean, set in 1904, will certainly be ranked among his highest peaks.
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. August wilson continues his twentiethcentury cycle with gem of the ocean, set in 1904. In 1969, columbia, the gem of the ocean was the music performed by a u. 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. 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. The penultimate entry in august wilson s 10play cycle on africanamerican life in pittsburgh is set in 1904. Gem of the ocean reminds us why august wilson is considered by some to be the shakespeare of our time. Columbia, the gem of the ocean is an american patriotic song which was popular in the united states during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
At the 2007 nbtf international colloquium presenters including wole soyinka, kwame dawes, ed bullins and over a dozen other scholars and writers shared works on the impact of august wilson, on his plays, and on the state of african and african american. Gem of the ocean recently played across the country and on broadway, with phylicia rashad as aunt esther. Buy gem of the ocean by august wilson online at alibris. August wilsons gem of the ocean a dramaturgical case study. In addition to general information about the ocean, the guide includes numerous education features, such as teaching tips and student thinking, that help to connect the content to classroom practice. This document catalogues my creative process in developing the role of aunt ester tyler in august wilsonays gem of the ocean. Ester has become known as a wise woman who can cleanse souls. Gem of the ocean is one of ten masterful plays in wilsons pittsburgh cycle, which tells the painful, often tragic but ultimately triumphant story of black america throughout the 20th century.
Having just seen jitney at fords theatre several days before, i felt like i was swirling in the fertile mind of august wilson, and having a. I often think directors notes are redundant, hoping that the production stands for itself and audiences. 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 original, play, broadway opened in new york city dec 6, 2004 and played through feb 6, 2005. Scott caldwell, preston butler iii, cleavant derricks and matt orduna with director kent gash. In 2004, august wilson completed gem of the ocean, the first play in his pittsburgh cycle. Abstract in 2004, august wilson completed gem of the ocean, the first play in his pittsburgh cycle. Seven years later, the university of central floridas production of gem of the ocean went against what most consider traditional staging. Gem of the ocean is the ninth play in wilsons 10play cycle chronicling the africanamerican experience through each decade of the 1900s.
It provides a solid introduction to the ocean and the ocean literacy principles in an accessible and readerfriendly manner. August wilsons gem of the ocean gem of the ocean brings us character who august wilson saw as the heart of his century cycle. 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. The play is set in 1904 at 1839 wylie avenue in pittsburgh s hill. Wilson typically keeps the action contained in one location. In gem of the ocean, black mary wilks is aunt ester tylers housekeeper. Gem was performed by the school of theatre and dance at the university of florida in the constans theatre from september 17th through the 28th of 2010. Nov 11, 2017 gem of the ocean by august wilson directed by kent gash october 14 november 11, 2017 segerstrom stage. Ocean drilling in shallow water is also very risky.
Did critics think august wilsons gem of the ocean is a jewel. So this summer, while you are at the beach, take a moment to remember that your government has control of all actions that affect the health and abundance of the life under the. August wilson and the huntington set in pittsburghs hill district in 1904, gem of the ocean is the story that begins wilsons epic cycle of decade plays, exploring what he calls the dazed. Page 1 of 163 august wilson monologue competition 2015 collection gem of the ocean synopsis august wilsons century cycle begins in 1904, where we meet citizen barlow, a bewildered newcomer to pittsburgh from the agrarian deep south. Gem of the ocean is the first in august wilson s ten play cycle that chronicles the africanamerican experience in the twentieth century. In the old testament, esther was the jewish wife of the king of persia. In the play, caesar is a policeman, baker, and landowner. Aunt ester, a spirited and spiritually connected 285yearold matriarch who carries the memories of her ancestors. Gem of the ocean quotes by august wilson goodreads. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean is the play that begins august wilson s tenplay cycle dramatizing the african american experience during the twentie.
Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean is the play that begins august wilson s tenplay cycle dramatizing the african american experience during the twentieth century a series that includes the plays fences and the piano lesson. Written in 2003 august wilson grew up in the hill district in pittsburgh o where it takes place part of the century cycle o cycle of plays that dramatizes the african american experience in the 20 th century august wilson mixedrace daisy wilson he took his mothers name because he identified more with her his father left. Gem of the ocean by august wilson directed by kent gash october 14 november 11, 2017 segerstrom stage. 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. 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.
Discovering aunt ester in gem of the ocean by august wilson. One of the top three oil drilling oceana is grateful for the grants, contri butions and support it has received from dozens of foundations and companies and thousands of individuals. In gem spectators are provided with more insight into the history of african americans than is usually learned from history books. It is a young man named citizen barlow, demanding to see aunt ester, an old woman with a magical reputation for washing peoples souls. South bend civic theatre wilson mainstage auditorium. This tender, spiritual allegory mixes the first adult generation of freeborn blacks free legally, if not in. These niggers take and throw their money away in the saloon and get mad when its gone.
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. Aunt esterin gem of the ocean, she is a very old, yet vital spiritual advisor for the community wilson, p. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean is the play that begins august wilsons tenplay cycle dramatizing the african american experience during the twentieth century a series that includes the plays fences and the piano lesson. Oceana wishes to thank all of its supporters, especially its. August wilsons gem of the ocean gives a 300yearold. August wilsons gem of the ocean gives a 300yearold her. The national black theatre festival nbtf has become a fixture of the winstonsalem, north carolina community since its inception in 1989. It is the first installment of his decadebydecade, tenplay chronicle, the pittsburgh cycle, dramatizing the africanamerican experience in the twentieth century. Engage your students during remote learning with video readalouds. Buy a cheap copy of gem of the ocean book by august wilson. In the world premiere of wilsons latest play, gem of the ocean, at the mark taper forum, aunt ester speaks out and speaks to one of the most vivid assortment of characters wilson has assembled. 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. Mar 01, 2020 caesar wilkes a character in gem of the ocean by august wilson author. Did critics think august wilsons gem of the ocean is a.
Gem of the ocean by august wilson 1,018 ratings, 4. Beautifully mounted at arena stage, it is nothing short of an epic. Gem of the ocean opens late at night at 1839 wylie avenue in 1904. Gem of the ocean by august wilson 9781559362801 paperback. Set in 1904 pittsburgh, gem of the ocean is also imbued with the memories of the forced. At eye level on the beach, looking out over the ocean, the horizon is about 3. I often think directors notes are redundant, hoping that the production stands for itself and. 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. Eli, the gatekeeper, looks after aunt ester and her protg, black mary.
Set in 1904, august wilsons gem of the ocean begins on the eve of aunt esthers 287th birthday. Aunt ester imparts the wisdom of a woman who has experienced almost 250 years of slavery and survived the civil war. 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 historyaugust wilson disclosed his bout with cancer, an illness of unusual ferocity that would eventually claim his life on october 2. Jan 15, 2016 gem of the ocean by august wilson my rating. Eli prepares to head to bed when there is a violent knock at the door. Like most though not all of the plays in the cycle, gem is set in pittsburgh. Gem of the ocean synopsis august wilsons century cycle begins in 1904, where we meet citizen barlow, a bewildered newcomer to pittsburgh from the agrarian deep south.
Set in 1904, august wilson s gem of the ocean begins on the eve of aunt esthers 287th birthday. This play, although the latest, is chronologically the first in wilsons depiction of the africanamerican experience in every decade of the 20th century. Citizen barlow arrives at aunt esters house seeking her help and a safe place from caesar, the local constable. The afternoon will feature staged readings of gem of the ocean from philadelphia theatre favorite cathy. Complete summary of august wilson s gem of the ocean. Aug 09, 2012 aunt esterin gem of the ocean, she is a very old, yet vital spiritual advisor for the community wilson, p. Mtcs production of gem of the ocean, under the direction of daniel alexander jones. The penultimate entry in august wilsons 10play cycle on africanamerican life in pittsburgh is set in 1904.