Jubilee Theatre Presents Southwest Premiere of 'Gem of the Ocean,' 6/4

Jubilee Theatre continues the 2009-2010 season with the Southwest premiere of the drama by August Wilson, Gem of the Ocean. Over the past 20 years, Wilson had staked a legitimate claim to the title of the nation's most important dramatist winning two Pulitzers and a Tony. Previews for the production will begin May 28, and the production officially opens on June 4.

Set in 1904, 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. When Citizen Barlow comes to her home seeking asylum, she sets him off on a spiritual journey to find a city in the middle of the Atlantic
Ocean. On his way to the mythic city, he makes startling discoveries about guilt, duty, and redemption. Gem of the Ocean is the ninth work in Wilson's ten-play cycle that has recorded the American Black experience and helped to define generations.

Directed by Akin Babatunde, Gem of the Ocean features an accomplished cast of local actors: Douglas Carter, Al Garrett, Mikala Gibson, Bill Hass, Michael Reins, Cheryl Tyre, and Akron Watson. Designers include set design by George Miller, light design by Nikki DeShea Smith, and costume design by Rhonda Gorman.

Single tickets for this production are available now. Gem of the Ocean previews May 28, 29, 30 and June 3; the show opens June 4; and the show runs June 4 through June 27. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. A post performance talkback with the artists and special guests will be held on June. Preview performance tickets are $10; tickets range from $14 to $24 for the run of the production. Tickets can be purchased from the Jubilee Theatre Box Office by calling 817-338-4411 Tuesday through Friday between noon and 6 p.m. or online by visiting the Jubilee website: www.jubileetheatre.org.