When a young man arrives in 1904 Pittsburgh seeking a fresh start, he becomes entangled in a local dispute. Aunt Ester, a 285-year old spiritual matriarch, takes him on a journey to a mythological city which connects him to his ancestors, defines his duty to the town, and introduces him to the love of his life. The first chronological play in August Wilson’s ten-play American Century Cycle, “Gem of the Ocean” is a powerful and poetic story of redemption, history, and self-determination.
The play is set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, the predominantly Black neighborhood where playwright August Wilson grew up and where most of the plays in his celebrated American Century Cycle take place.
Following its Broadway premiere, Gem of the Ocean earned five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play.
The character of Solly Two Kings was inspired by real Black Americans who played important roles in the Underground Railroad and the fight for freedom.
