Playwright

Citizen Barlow is looking for peace. To get it, he’ll knock at Aunt Ester’s door every day if that’s what it takes. Set in 1904, the opening installment in August Wilson’s The American Century Cycle includes the playwright’s most fantastical journey, where the secrets of the past point towards future liberation. Featuring beloved Two River artists Crystal A. Dickinson (Wine in the Wilderness, A Raisin in the Sun) and Brandon J. Dirden (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Topdog/Underdog), Gem of the Ocean is the seventh production in the theater’s commitment to stage all ten of Wilson’s visionary epics.

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August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean

Two River Theater

On the heels of Gem of the Ocean (2022), expert August Wilson interpreter Chuck Smith revives the second work in the famed American Century Cycle—one of Wilson’s best-loved, most compelling plays. Herald Loomis searches the country with his young daughter to find his estranged wife. But first, he must regain a sense of his own heritage and identity in this story of spiritual and emotional resurrection.

Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Goodman Theatre

Experience the profound and passionate world of August Wilson's "King Hedley II" at A Noise Within, Pasadena's premier classical theatre company. This compelling production, directed by the acclaimed Gregg T. Daniel, runs from March 31 to April 28, 2024, at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.

"King Hedley II" delves into the tragic realities faced by Black men in 1980s Reagan-era Pittsburgh. After a seven-year prison sentence, King Hedley strives to rebuild his life through the ambitious dream of owning a video store, a journey marked by self-delusion and the harsh truths of his environment. This narrative continues the stories of characters first introduced in Wilson's "Seven Guitars," offering a rich, interconnected saga of life, struggle, and hope.

The production highlights the ongoing partnership between Director Gregg T. Daniel and A Noise Within, further exploring Wilson's American Century Cycle. It's an opportunity to witness the most passionate work of one of America's most astonishing playwrights, as praised by Variety for its unflinching examination of the human condition.

Special performances include "Pay What You Choose" nights on April 3 and 4, 2024, allowing attendees to purchase tickets at a price they can afford, and a "Sensory Friendly" performance on April 4, 2024, tailored for audiences with sensory processing differences. The "Opening Night" on April 6, 2024, invites guests to a free post-show cast party, and "Black Out Night" on April 11, 2024, creates a unique environment for Black-identifying audiences to experience the performance in community, followed by a reception.

Join the conversation and deepen your understanding of the play by participating in the INsiders discussion group on August Wilson, scheduled for April 7th, 2024, from 12:30-1:30 pm.

Don't miss this powerful production that promises not only to entertain but to provoke thought and dialogue about the complexities of the human spirit and societal challenges. Secure your tickets now and be part of a season that celebrates the balance of classic theatre and modern relevance at A Noise Within.

August Wilson

Playwright

Events

Past events

8 - 29 Jun, 2024

August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean · Two River Theater Company

8 - 19 May, 2024

Joe Turner's Come and Gone · Goodman Theatre

About

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