Everyone should see Aunt Ester.

Joshua Lee Robinson delivers a captivating performance as complex young Citizen who is desperate to see Regine Vital’s Aunt Ester, believing she is the key to unburdening his heavy heart and cleansing his soul.  Robinson conveys Citizen’s troubled spirit in low tones as well as pleading and urgent mannerisms that make it easy to feel the weight of his burden. 

August Wilson has woven a powerful tale with an array of interconnected characters and a supernatural twist that delves into the meaning of freedom, oppression, superstition, the law, redemption, biblical themes and much more.

Directed intuitively by Monica White Ndounou, Actors’ Shakespeare Project continues August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean live and in person at Hibernian Hall in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 17.  This beautiful production contains strong language and runs two hours and 40 minutes including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

With the acclaim of Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and The Piano Lesson, Denzel Washington recently made a deal with the August Wilson Estate to bring the rest of the plays from August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Ten Play Cycle to the big screen.  Washington only met August Wilson once on a rainy day in Seattle between 2003 and 2005 when Wilson was considering Washington for a part in his new play, Gem of the Ocean.

Over the past few years, Actors’ Shakespeare Project staging August Wilson’s plays has proven to be a match made in Heaven.  Since the premiere of Seven Guitars in 2023, Actors’ Shakespeare Project shines with each new production and Gem of the Ocean, their resonating fourth play in August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle, is no exception.

Set in 1904 Pittsburgh, Gem of the Ocean was not written first, but it is set the earliest in the Pittsburgh cycle and stands as the historical and spiritual center of the cycle’s various works.  Seven Guitars also ties in Gem of the Ocean nicely with a brief mention of Aunt Ester’s legendary gifts and now we are learning the full story.

Payton Tavares creates a wooden duel level and transformative set which features a balcony, a dark staircase, hanging wrought iron pots, a vintage etched cabinet with bread box, doilies adorning timely furniture and pivotal lanterns adorning both sides of Aunt Ester’s house.

Like The Piano Lesson, Gem of the Ocean has its own transfixing and suspenseful share of supernatural elements hauntingly illuminated by Isaak Olson combined with Aubrey Dube’s windswept, mystical, soulful and rumbling sound design.

The family bonded rapport between characters, the genuine humor, rich storytelling and shared pearls of wisdom are just a few of the common and riveting elements in August Wilson’s productions.  With the soaring vocals Vital is known for in other productions, Regine Vital brings to life charismatic, weary, and home bound Aunt Ester whose power and discernment reveals itself in bursts.  Aunt Ester’s mystical wisdom shapes this story while Jonathan Kitt portrays a heartfelt and larger than life persona as energetic Solly Two Kings.  Kitt’s Solly muses, “If I live my life for a woman, I can’t live my life for the people” and “Wave the law in one hand and a Billy club in the other.” 

Kitt is as endearing and avid a storyteller as he was as reserved and discerning Doaker in The Piano Lesson, but Solly Two Kings is an impulsive, frank and instinctive man full of ideas. Even with a wooden stick for a cane, Kitt’s Solly is a man of action and devoted to his family with a harrowing history of survival that fuels his determination and only makes him stronger.  Solly and Aunt Ester share a lighthearted and affectionate rapport.  Aunt Ester also leans on Dereks Thomas as warm, concerned and protective Eli, a fascinating bond with Marhadoo Effah as Aunt Ester’s loyal caretaker Black Mary, and a growing and enigmatic connection with Robinson’s Citizen who resembles someone from her past.

In a black vest, holster and tie, Kadahj Bennett is terrific as tough, outspoken, wealthy and rigid free man Caesar, who has changed in recent years to the frustration of Effah is also Caesar’s humble, earnest and seemingly stoic sister.  In a production boasting biblical references, it is likely Caesar is named after the Roman Emperor who practiced supreme civil authority.  Blinded by self-righteousness and a dominating sneer, Bennett’s Caesar is intense and unflinching in the name of the law.  Michael Broadhurst rounds out this intriguing cast as Solly’s trusted peddler friend, Rutherford.

A gem is established when it is tested to its very limits.  Gem of the Ocean is a remarkable spiritual journey that tests each of these characters and is rooted in harrowing history while emphasizing the importance of endurance and fortitude in life’s brutal battlefield. It is a moving production offering humor and profound life lessons that culminate in surprising revelations and full circle moments that keeps you guessing to the very end.

Actors’ Shakespeare Project continues August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean live and in person at Hibernian Hall in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 17.  Click here for more information and for tickets.