Cygnet Theatre to Present GEM OF THE OCEAN, Beginning January 24

Cygnet Theatre will continue its 10^th Anniversary Season by presenting the San Diego Premiere of August Wilson'sGem of the Ocean. The first play, chronologically, in Wilson's epic Century Cycle, Gem of the Ocean is set to perform January 24^ththrough February 24^th, 2013, at Cygnet's Old Town Theatre.  Press Opening is scheduled for February 2^nd, 2013.

This will be Cygnet's third production from Wilson's Century Cycle. In 2008, Cygnet presented Fences at its original Rolando Theatre location.  The production was listed on many end-of-the-year top ten lists, and was named Outstanding Production by the San Diego Critics Circle. In 2010, Cygnet revisited August Wilson's work with an acclaimed production of The Piano Lesson in its current home at the Old Town Theatre.

Cygnet Artistic Director Sean Murray has tapped fellow North Carolina School of the Arts graduate Victor Mack to direct. Mack is currently appearing in King Hedley II at Portland Playhouse and has performed in severAl Wilson plays including Seven Guitars, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Gem of the Ocean. Earlier this year, he won a Drammy Award for his direction of The Brother/Sister Plays by Tarrell Alvin McCraney. Victor's impressive and substantial body of work includes New York shows at The Public Theatre and the Manhattan Theatre Club, as well as numerous regional appearances on the west coast at such theatres as Berkley Rep, ACT, La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Rep and San Jose Rep. Sean Murray will co-direct.

Set in 1904, when slavery was still a living memory, Gem of the Ocean is the story of drifter Citizen Barlow, who arrives at the home of Aunt Ester in search of spiritual redemption. At 287 years old, Aunt Ester guides Barlow on a soaring, lyrical journey of self-discovery to the mythical City of Bones, on which, Ester tells Barlow, "all this, and everything else you see is built." Once there, Barlow finds absolution and makes a startling discovery of faith that moves him to act beyond the boundaries of his conscience. Gem of the Oceanpremiered at Chicago's Goodman Theatre in the spring of 2003.  It opened on Broadway featuring Phylicia Rashad as Aunt Ester, in 2004.

The Cygnet Theatre cast features returning artists Laurence Brown (Fences, The Piano Lesson) as Citizen Barlow, Antonio TJ Johnson(Fences – SD Critics Circle Award, The Matchmaker, The Piano Lesson) as Solly Two Kings, and Grandison Phelps III (Fences, The Piano Lesson) as Eli, along with Mujahid Abdul-Rashid as Caesar Wilkes, Melva Graham as Black Mary, and Georgina Okon as Aunt Ester.  The role of Rutherford Selig is still to be cast.

The design team includes Andy Hull as Scenic Designer, Shelly Williams as Costume Designer, Chris Rhynne as Lighting Designer,Kevin Anthenill as Sound Designer, Angelica Ynfante as Properties Designer, Peter Herman as Wig and Makeup Designer.  Jennifer Kozumplik will serve as Stage Manager.

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