818 South 2nd Street •
Minneapolis, MN 55415 •
Box Office: 612.377.2224
April 22 - May 18, 2008 (Opening April 25)
McGuire Proscenium Stage
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Run Time
3 hours 2 minutes with intermission
Price Range
$24 - $69Resources
Post-Play Discussions:
Sun, Apr 27, matinee - with Constanza Romero Wilson and Lou Bellamy, moderated by Sarah Bellamy
Sat, May 3, matinee
Wed, May 14, matinee
ASL Interpreted Performance:
Fri, May 9, 7:30 pm
Audio Described Performance:
Sat, May 10, 1 pm
w/ 10:30 Sensory Tour
Open Captioned Performance:
Sat, May 17, 7:30pm
The Guthrie presents
The Penumbra Theatre Company production of
Gem of the Ocean
by August Wilson
directed by Lou Bellamy
Video: Lou Bellamy talks about Gem of the Ocean
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The ninth work in August Wilson's decade-by-decade cycle of dramas chronicling the African American experience during the 20th century, Gem of the Ocean is chronologically the first play in this unprecedented series.
Set in Pittsburgh in 1904, it introduces us to Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old fiery matriarch, and her fascinating world. She welcomes into her Hill District home Solly Two Kings, who was born into slavery and scouted for the Union Army, and Citizen Barlow, a young man from Alabama searching for a new life. Bewildered by the collapse of the old slave regime, the first generation of black Americans recently freed from slavery are unprepared for the backlash against their newly acquired freedom by whites. Many venture north and find themselves at Aunt Ester’s door, seeking solace, advice or a place to heal.
| THE STORY OF A QUILT The quilt in Gem of the Ocean is quite literally a map. Like many maps that hide secrets, only the trained eye can decipher its meaning. Aunt Ester, the keeper of ancestral wisdon, knows the powerful secrets of this quilt. Take a closer look on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m. Join us on Level 8 of the Guthrie for a gallery presentation of Penumbra's Gem of the Ocean quilt. Meet the artist, Cecile Margaret Lewis, and learn more about the rich traditions of African American quilting. For more information visit www.penumbratheatre.org |
Ticket Prices
| Area 1 | Area 2 | Area 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Previews | $44 | $38 | $24 |
| Tue, Wed & Sun Evenings; Weekday Matinees | $49 | $43 | $29 |
| Thu Evenings; Sat & Sun Matinees | $54 | $48 | $34 |
| Fri & Sat Evenings | $59 | $53 | $39 |
| Opening Night | $69 | $63 | $49 |