In the play of the same name, the ‘Gem Of The Ocean’
is a ‘ship’ that one may take on a journey to redemption, traveling through the
reality of ancestors that have gone before.
Director, Mark Clayton Southers has shown us a window on this
world with the most skillful direction of August Wilson’s play that
takes us to an American past we are in danger of forgetting.
Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, August Wilson, has
achieved a monumental task by creating a ten cycle series of plays that
chronicles African American life throughout the 20th Century. Gem of the Ocean is the first in this
cycle giving us a transom to the first decade in the 1900’s.
The story’s center is an African American home in 1904
Pittsburgh, when slavery was still part of current memory, where sanctuary and
the meaning of freedom were still central subjects of daily life, and when
discussions of the distribution of power and money where not that different
than today. Wilson’s play is a
tapestry of metaphor, allegory and hard cold reality woven in manner that keeps
us watching and thinking about what comes next and what it means. What is enchanting about this experience is
how Wilson and Southers transport us back in time and move us seamlessly
from the daily reality of this 1904 Pittsburgh home, peppered with delicious
and meticulous stories, to the lyrical and spiritual experience of the grand
life guide that is former slave, Aunt Ester.
She is 285 years of memory that has the power to anchor who we are and
where we go as we struggle to find our way into the 20th
century. And this journey is powerful,
and dare I say delightful.
There is not a weak link in the cast. Dwandra Nickole brings to life Aunt
Ester Tyler in a rich and rock-solid performance of the story’s clever
spiritual guide. Young actors should
watch and learn from this performance. Alan
Bomar Jones presents us the quality that we have come to expect with his
endearing and solid performance of Solly Two Kings. Kevin Brown (Eli), Jonathan Berry (Citizen) and Bryant
Bentley (Caesar), all talented actors, each give us grounded performances
that are true to the playwright and this important work.
Marva Williams' performance as Black Mary is singular
in this production as she provides us an emotional truth and unyielding
connection to the turn of the century reality which has long escaped our
memory. Watch for her in the future, as
she is a skilled actress to follow. Scott
Stoney plays Rutherford Selig, and once again makes us marvel at his
complete immersion into character. The
simple truth of his work brings us into the story, as we have all known a
hard-working, good-hearted, salesman with the gift of gab and a heart to match.
The Human Race Theatre has twice before presented us the
work of August Wilson. Each time
has been a significant artistic event for our community. This presentation is no less important. Take sanctuary for an evening. Make this journey with these artists to a
place that has past us by but should not be forgotten. It’s quite something to see.
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