Gem Of The Ocean Play Review Essay

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Recommended: Experiences of slavery in america

Gem of the Ocean was a magical production, Gem of the Ocean written by August Wilson and directed by Kent Gash at the South Coast Repertory. The play is climatic and is set in 1904 and is about the life of former slaves and their adventure to having their soul cleansed. The cast consists of Black Mary played by Shinelle Azoroh, Citizen Barlow played by Preson Butler III, Aunt Ester played by L. Scott Caldwell, Solly Two Kings played by Cleavant Derricks, Eli played by Matt Orduna, Cesar played by Arnell Powell and Rutherford Selig portrayed by my first theatre professor Hal Landon. This show was about freedom, justice and redemption. The of Gem of the ocean lead the viewer on a magical adventure through staging, theatre, August Wilson plays explore the heritage and slavery experience of African Americans in America. August Wilson created a compilation (The Pittsburgh Cycle) of his plays called The American …show more content…

Usually most windows on the set are there purely for decoration, but an actor made an entrance through a window and it was amazing. The stage was used entirely to make the show possible. At one point in the show most of the stage glides back and a screen in brought down and a projection of a boat is put up as these characters take the audience on a journey of getting a soul washed. The world was changed into a magical land with the screen replacing the set with the projections of the world that the audience was able to explore. There was a fog machine hidden and as we explored this new world. It added a new effect that I have never experienced. The lighting and projection in this show were amazing. The projections could have thrown off the time of the show, but it was done tastefully and it only helped convey the story more. The lightening seen and heard after the intermission were timed perfectly. The lights of the show helped with the mood changes and transitions from one scene to

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