August Wilson’s words come to life in ‘Gem of the Ocean’
Sharif Atkins portrays Citizen Barlow and Lisa Gaye Dixon portrays Aunt Ester in Goodman Theatre’s production of August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean.” Photo by Rich Hein, provided by Felicia Apprey
As an actor, Sharif Atkins knows the importance of knowing the words and doing the work. Atkins portrays Citizen Barlow in Wilson’s play, “Gem of the Ocean,” which is at the Goodman Theatre until Sunday, Feb. 27th.
“Gem of the Ocean” is first of a 10-play series. In it, Citizen Barlow embarks on a spiritual journey with the help of Aunt Ester, played in the Goodman production by Lisa Gaye Dixon.
Even with a monthlong rehearsal process and seven shows in the first week, Atkins was still hearing and discovering things for the first time.
“How do you prepare? Sit with the material. Read it again and again. Also allow for the reality there’s going to be an evolution in your understanding, and thus, it’ll sort of trickle down into your performance during the course of your doing it,” he said.
Atkins believes the audience aids in that process. He has experienced them laughing at parts of the piece, wondered why and discovered why later. For him, it is an organic unfolding, delving into the story and relationships and how all of that works together to say all the things Wilson wants to say.
“His words are a rushing river. He can take you, by his sheer genius, he can get you to the end, but what you don’t want to do is lean on his genius as an actor. You want to make sure you add your piece to it as well. You have to know the things that you’re saying, you have to know what they mean to you,” he said.
It has been a process for Atkins to understand the emotional truth of his character’s journey. One of the themes that Atkins believes encompasses the entire play is the idea of being in service to something greater than one’s self and the sacrifice it requires to do so, but the legacy for the good that it leaves. Citizen Barlow is finding that for himself. On the surface Citizen leaves Alabama for Pittsburgh to find a job, but he is at a fork in the road and on a physical, spiritual and emotional journey for what kind of man he is going to be. Every character in the play is pivotal to Citizen becoming the man who he is to become.
“I think that’s one of the things about August Wilson, he lays bare the humanity of Black folks. The rich and diverse perspectives that exist in our community,” he said.
Atkins had a lifelong dream of performing at the Goodman. The Chicago native, who graduated from Whitney Young High School and Northwestern University, had a list of the four Chicago Theaters – Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Victory Gardens and Steppenwolf Theatre – where he wanted to perform. He has already performed at the other three.
Atkins heard about Chuck Smith, the director of “Gem of the Ocean.” And, he wanted to perform at the Goodman Theater in a play directed by Smith. For him to be in an August Wilson play, at the Goodman and directed by Smith, is a trifecta for Atkins.
It is also nice for Atkins to be back in Chicago. He loves being on stage and in front of audiences. For his birthday, a group of family and friends watched a matinee performance of the play. It was at the top of all-time great moments for him.
Atkins hopes audiences identify with the character or the character’s way of thinking or perspective.
“Our lives are adventurous. They can be adventurous. No matter our circumstances, we’re all on a journey of one kind or another. Sometimes perspective is everything. Especially when things aren’t looking up and things don’t feel as if we’re benefitting from it, to remember this is just one part of the journey and keeping that hope alive about the prospects and possibility of what’s to come,” he said.
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