GEM OF THE OCEAN BY AUGUST WILSON, DIRECTED IN A MAJOR REVIVAL BY CHUCK SMITH, BEGINS THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 22


 

GEM OF THE OCEAN BY AUGUST WILSON, DIRECTED IN A MAJOR REVIVAL BY CHUCK SMITH, BEGINS THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

***ON-SITE POP-UP MARKET—“HIDDEN GEMS”—FEATURING ARTS AND CRAFTS BY LOCAL AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS TO BE OFFERED DURING CLOSING WEEK OF THE PRODUCTION***

(Chicago, IL) Goodman Theatre kicks off the new year with a major revival of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean—nearly two decades after the play premiered on the same stage. Resident Director Chuck Smith, who served as the original production’s dramaturg, directs a cast of seven—featuring Sharif Atkins (Citizen Barlow), Sydney Charles (Black Mary), Lisa Gaye Dixon (Aunt Ester), Gary Houston (Rutherford Selig), Kelvin Roston, Jr. (Caesar), A.C. Smith (Eli) and James A. Williams (Solly Two Kings). Originally directed by the late Marion McClinton at the Goodman in 2003, Gem of the Ocean is the play that chronically launches Wilson’s famed “American Century Cycle”—10 plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, that together chronicle 100 years of the African-American experience. In conjunction with the production, audiences can support local African American artisans at “Hidden Gems: A Celebration of African American Artists & Art”—an on-site pop-up market featuring arts, crafts and more, will culminate the last week of the play and be available prior to and post select shows. Gem of the Ocean appears January 22 – February 27; opening night is January 31. Tickets ($25 - $80, subject to change) are now available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Gem or by phone at 312.443.3800. More details about “Hidden Gems,” including information about participating artists, will be released soon. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of Sponsor Partners Abbott Fund and Allstate.

Tensions flare into riots across Pittsburgh’s Hill District as chaos threatens a city desperate for freedom. It’s 1904, the dawn of the new century—yet slavery’s shadow looms large. There is solace to be found at the home of 285-year-old Ester Tyler, keeper and transmitter of African American history and cleanser of souls. When a suspicious traveler appears at her door in search of a new life, Aunt Ester guides him on a journey of spiritual awakening.

THE COMPANY OF GEM OF THE OCEAN

By August Wilson, Directed by Chuck Smith

CAST (listed in order of appearance)

Eli — A.C. Smith
Citizen Barlow — Sharif Atkins
Aunt Ester — Lisa Gaye Dixon
Rutherford Selig — Gary Houston
Black Mary — Sydney Charles
Solly Two Kings — James A. Williams
Caesar — Kelvin Roston, Jr.

Understudies for this production include Wardell Julius Clark—Citizen Barlow; Ronald L. Conner—Eli/Caesar; Krystel McNeil—Black Mary; Joseph Primes–Solly Two Kings; Ron E. Rains-Rutherford Selig; and TayLar—Aunt Ester.

CREATIVE TEAM

Set Design by Linda Buchanan
Costume Design by Evelyn Danner
Lighting Design by Robert Perry
Sound Design by Pornchanok Kanchanabanca
Projection Design by Mike Tutaj

Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA and Rachael Jimenez, CSA. Dramaturgy is by Jared Bellot and Fatima Sowe. Briana J. Fahey is the Production Stage Manager and Nikki Blue is the Stage Manager.

ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES

Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, February 19, 12:30pm Touch Tour; 2pm performance – The action/text is audibly enhanced for patrons via headset. NOTE: Touch Tours for the 2021/2022 Season will not have access to the stage due to current health and safety protocols, but will feature alternate pre-show sensory introductions.

ASL-Interpreted Performance: Friday, February 25 at 8:00pm – A professional American Sign Language interpreter signs the action/text as played.

Open-Captioned Performance: Saturday, February 26 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.

Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Access for more information about Goodman Theatre’s accessibility efforts.

Health and Safety Note: Proof of full vaccination with an FDA or WHO-authorized vaccine is required for all guests over 12 and a recent negative test must be presented for children under 12. Patrons must wear face coverings at all times while inside Goodman Theatre. Learn more GoodmanTheatre.org/Protocols.

ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE

Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earner two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades. The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.

Using the tools of the theatrical profession, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand the cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered free of charge for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.

As a cultural and community organization invested in quality, diversity and community, Goodman Theatre is committed to using the art of theater for a better Chicago. Goodman Theatre’s Action Plan for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Access (IDEAA) was born out of the belief that progress means action, which includes building on the decades-long commitment to using art, assets and resources to contribute to a more just, equitable and anti-racist society.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation on the new Goodman center in 2000.

Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Rebecca Gilman, Dael Orlandersmith, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Jeff Hesse is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Fran Del Boca is Women’s Board President and Craig McCaw is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.

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