Two River Theater‘s upcoming revival of August Wilson‘s Gem of the Ocean will be led by Broadway alums Crystal A. Dickinson (Clybourne Park) and Brandon J. Dirden (Skeleton Crew). Performances are set to run June 8-30 at the New Jersey theatre.
Delicia Turner Sonnenberg is directing the new production, the seventh in Two River’s work to stage all 10 of Wilson’s Century Cycle plays.
“August Wilson’s profound impact on the American Theatre, writ large, has been instrumental to the history of Two River Theater,” says Artistic Director Justin Waldman in a statement. “It fills me with joy and reverence to continue this dialogue with greatness. Twenty years ago, I had the immense privilege to be in the orbit of the original production of Gem of the Ocean, so to rejoin this journey with beloved artists and friends like Crystal, Brandon, and Delicia is truly an honor.”
Set in 1904, Gem of the Ocean is chronologically the first of Wilson’s Century Cycle, a series of 10 plays exploring the Black experience in America throughout the 20th century. The fantastical story revolves around 285-year-old Aunt Esther who guides a young man from Alabama on a spiritual awakening. The work premiered in 2003 at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, coming to Broadway in 2004 and earning five 2005 Tony nominations.
Two River Theater’s production is being presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Subscribers can get pre-sale tickets through March 17, with a general sale set to begin March 18 at noon ET.
Visit TwoRiverTheater.org.