August Wilson's 20th Century: Gem of the Ocean

This is the haunting tale of a spiritually tormented young man who pays a visit to Aunt Ester, a former slave, on the eve of her 287th birthday. On his way to the mythic City of Bones, he makes startling discoveries about guilt, duty, and redemption.

• Mar 4 - 30, 2008
• Terrace Theater
• 2 hrs. 26 min.
• $65.00

About the Program | Reviews | Watch and Listen | Additional Resources | Related Events

About the Program

Artists:

• August Wilson , playwright

"One of the most important voices in the American theater"
--The New York Times

Gem of the Ocean (1900s)
Directed by Kenny Leon

Reality and mysticism collide in this haunting tale of a spiritually tormented young man who pays a visit to Aunt Ester, a former slave, on the eve of her 287th birthday. On his way to the mythic City of Bones at the bottom of the sea, he makes startling discoveries about guilt, duty, and redemption.
--Running Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes, with one intermission--

CASTING
Eli: James A. Williams
Citizen Barlow: John Earl Jelks
Aunt Ester: Michele Shay
Black Mary: Tracie Thoms
Rutherford Selig: Raynor Scheine
Solly Two Kings: Anthony Chisholm
Caesar: Ruben Santiago-Hudson

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An American icon, August Wilson depicted the human condition like no other playwright of his time. His legacy lives on through his crowning achievement: a cycle of 10 plays chronicling the African American experience, each set in a different decade of the 20th century. Crafted over nearly 25 years, these works garnered Wilson myriad accolades, including a Tony Award and two Pulitzer Prizes. Bringing them together for the first time ever, the Kennedy Center presents staged readings of all 10 of Wilson's masterpieces, frequently dubbed "The Pittsburgh Cycle," as all but one are grounded in the city of his youth.

More than 30 stars of stage and screen join Artistic Director Kenny Leon and six other acclaimed directors for this historic month-long celebration (March 4–April 6, 2008). Complemented with costumes, lighting, and scenery, the plays will be performed in chronological order--collectively revealing Wilson's sweeping vision of the challenge and glory of being black in America.


All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

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Watch and Listen

• Acting for August
• The Greatest Ever
• The Words of August Wilson
• Telling History
• Start with Your Grandmother
• Discovering the Library
• Writing as a Child
• Growing up as “Youngblood”
• The Writing Process
• The Stronger Political Act
• The Artist’s Relationship with the Audience
• Recurring Themes
• The Rehearsal Process
• The Collaboration Process

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Additional Resources

About the Kennedy Center Theater Series

August Wilson 20th Century Festival Page

Cast and Company

Artist:
Frederick Wilson

Reviews and Articles

Related Events

August Wilson's 20th Century: Joe Turner's Come and Gone  Mar 6 - 30, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom  Mar 9 - Apr 1, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: The Piano Lesson  Mar 12 - Apr 2, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Seven Guitars  Mar 14 - Apr 3, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Fences  Mar 16 - Apr 4, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Two Trains Running  Mar 20 - Apr 5, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Jitney  Mar 22 - Apr 5, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: King Hedley II  Mar 23 - Apr 6, 2008

August Wilson's 20th Century: Radio Golf  Mar 28 - Apr 6, 2008

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