(Posted February 10, 2009)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Amun Ra Theatre's GEM OF THE OCEAN is a beautiful beginning in more ways than one.

The professional troupe's revival of August Wilson's play christens it first full season in its new permanent home on Clifton Avenue. And the play itself is the first chronologically in the 10-play "Century Cycle" that the late playwright wrote between 1979 and 2005.

Each decade of the 20th Century is represented in that cycle, with GEM OF THE OCEAN taking place in 1904 and RADIO GOLF in 1997. Nine of the ten are set in Wilson's native Hill District of Pittsburgh (the 1920's entry, MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, is set in Chicago). In between the first and last decade plays there are such monumental takes on the African-American experience as the Pulitzer Prize-winners FENCES and THE PIANO LESSON.

Amun Ra's Artistic Director jeff obafemi carr is no stranger to Wilson's work - among other experiences he was part of an acclaimed 2005 Tennessee Repertory Theatre production of THE PIANO LESSON directed by Woodie King, Jr., founder and artistic director of New York's ground-breaking New Federal Theatre. In directing this show, carr has assembled a remarkable cast that hear and deliver the indelible rhythms of Wilson's rich allegorical work.

Aunt Ester (Darlene R. Knight)  is a 285-year-old former slave living at 1839 Wylie Avenue in Pittsburgh. Also there are Eli (Bobby Daniels), her caregiver and an Underground Railroad veteran, and Black Mary (Kenetha Rogers), her housekeeper and a student in the "soul cleansing" techniques practiced by Ester.

Into their home comes Citizen Barlow (carr), a young man troubled by a great wrong he has committed.  He becomes part of their lives and also encounters their friends Solly Two Kings (Elliott Robinson) and Rutherford Selig (Mark J. Thomas) who pledge to help him. But will Mary's law-and-order brother Caesar Wilks (Kenneth Dozier) keep Citizen from the redemption he seeks?

The overall challenge of GEM lies with the fact that its allegorical strands serve as the beginning of the cycle's intricate tapestry. It's difficult to play characters whose words and actions contain so much information about , and allusion to, what has come before and what will follow after this initial story has ceased. Yet this cast accomplishes the feat of making us believe in them as characters while simultaneously accepting they represent more than those roles.

When Knight, who in real life is no old lady, speaks and moves as Ester, it's the weight of centuries of bondage mixed with the wisdom to see the path ahead; in the voice and movement of the soulful Daniels Eli becomes the rock to cling to when challenges occur.

Robinson's Solly is strength and defiance; Rogers' Mary represents compassion and nurture. Rutherford in Thomas' hands is the embodiment of hope for reconciliation while Dozier's incredible turn as Caesar becomes both assimilation and repudiation.

And carr's character? The plaintive and ultimately powerful cry of those who can drown in a sea of discrimination but instead fight to stay afloat and make it to the dry land.

Embroidering this rich creation are beautiful musical direction by carr and Thomas and choreography by Nomalanga Eniafe. JK Hunter's finely detailed costumes and Charlie "Ptah" Huddleston's solid set give us the proper world in the troupe's very intimate black box space.

Amun Ra Theatre has already added immeasurably to Nashville with productions like Sho' 'Nuff Nativity and its camps for young people. Now for the first time in 101 years Nashville has, to quote from the show's program, "a venue owned and operated by people of color, for people of all colors."

That is reason enough to rejoice. But when this marvelous rendering of GEM OF THE OCEAN is added, it's another great reason to celebrate. 1839 Wylie Avenue is wondrous in its present home at 2508 Clifton Avenue. Check it out.

To See The Show...

GEM OF THE OCEAN closed March 1. For more information visit the Amun Ra Theatre website.