Theater Thursday - Gem of the Ocean

We were given complimentary tickets to Gem of the Ocean for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Gem of the Ocean

Where: Two River Theater

             21 Bridge Ave.

             Red Bank, NJ 

Who: Recommended for Ages 16 and Up

When: Through June 30, 2024

Gem of the Ocean is part of August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle of plays consisting of ten plays each set in a different decade and capturing the experience of Black Americans in 20th Century America. Although Gem of the Ocean was the second to last of the plays to open on Broadway, timewise it is actually the first play in the series. The play revolves around Aunt Esther a former slave who allegedly has the power to cleanse souls and Citizen Barlow, a young man, who comes to have his soul cleansed to absolve him of the guilt he feels because of a crime he's committed. 

This show, unlike most, if not all, of the other shows in the cycle contains elements of magical realism. Thus, if you like your shows strictly rooted in reality you may not enjoy it. However, it is a well-written show by a master of the craft involving important themes of freedom, and redemption, which is well-acted by a talented cast.

And that's our view. For more information or to purchase tickets to Gem of the Ocean, go to tworivertheater.org/whats-on/gem-of-the-ocean

Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits:

All Gem of the Ocean production photos by T. Charles Erickson

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us here, and we will look into the matter.