Casting Set for D.C. Premiere of Gem of the Ocean at Arena

Casting has been announced for the Washington D.C. premiere of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, presented by Arena Stage.  The show will run January 26 - March 18 on the Fichandler Stage. The press opening night performance is Thursday, February 1 at 8:00 p.m.

"Like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and The Piano Lesson before it, August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean is a powerful and evocative look at the culture and tradition of 20th century African-American life. In 1904, Citizen Barlow has come North in search for work and finds himself on a tumultuous spiritual journey guided by the wisdom of the mysterious and powerful matriarch, Aunt Ester. This Washington premiere of Gem of the Ocean, the ninth play in Wilson's historic, award-winning ten-part series, is presented as a tribute to Wilson, a giant of American theater who passed away in 2005," according to Arena.

Directed by Paulette Randall, the production will star Pascale Armand (Boom at Playwrights Horizons, Four at Manhattan Theatre Club) as Black Mary, Jimonn Cole (Off-Broadway: The Exonerated, Puddn'head Wilson) as Citizen Barlow, Leland Gantt (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Broadway, Killa Dilla Off-Broadway), Lynnie Godfrey (Drama Desk Nominee for Eubie!, "Ladies of Song") as Aunt Ester, Timmy Ray James (numerous plays at Arena Stage, Coriolanus at the Shakespeare Theatre) as Rutherford Selig, Clayton Lebouef (numerous plays at Arena Stage, "Homicide: Life on the Street") as Eli, and Joseph Marcell (productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, The National Theatre, etc.) as Solly Two Kings.

The creative team will include Scott Bradley (sets), Allen Lee Hughes (lighting), Ilona Smogyi (costumes), and Timothy M. Thompson (sound).

"August Wilson is an audience and artist favorite at Arena," said Artistic Director Molly Smith. "So it is special to me that we are able to premiere this play, one of his last. Wilson is Shakespeare for African-American performers; his 10-play cycle has a breadth and depth in character work that is thrilling. I welcome British director Paulette Randall, a Wilson expert in her home country, as we continue to forge relationships with directors outside America's borders. It will be fascinating to look at this American work through a different cultural lens."

Gem of the Ocean opened on Broadway in December 2004, starring Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad as the mythical matriarch Aunt Ester.  It earned five Tony nominations and glowing reviews. 

Playwright August Wilson (April 27, 1945 - October 2, 2005) authored Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of African-Americans, decade by decade, over the course of the 20th century.

Visit www.arenastage.org for tickets and more information.