Fountain Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)
Fountain Theatre presents Gem of the Ocean, one of August Wilson's most celebrated works. Set in Pittsburgh in 1904, it tells the story of Citizen Barlow, who seeks the aid of the legendary healer Aunt Ester to cleanse him of his guilt.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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All the actors were excellent and kept me entertained. There was never a dull moment.
It was a pretty good show even though I felt at times the actors were not believeable and were overacting. I loved the set!
The set was fabulous and the cast was very good. It takes a certain type of personality to adore August Wilson's vision. I loved it! The Citizen Barlow character had a lot of work to do and I dont think he nailed the part but he did a fabulous job. The Fountain is a FANTASTIC place to see a play, theres no way you could not enjoy this venue.
I really enjoyed the acting, but I wasn't able to fully grasp the meaning of the play. I probably need to see it one more time, but it is worth attending.
Gem of the Ocean is what theatre is all about! A movingly professional production. I'm grateful for the experience of witnessing it.
This production is top notch on all levels. The acting, sound and lighting are all worth the price of admission. I highly reccommend this production.
Wonderful play, lovely small theatre, good audience, very good actors. What more can I say? Oh,yes. Good chocolate chip cookies at the upstairs cafe during intermission!
Excellent play with outstanding acting performances by all the actors. My wife and I loved being able to see this play in such an intimate venue. Bravo!
I am glad I went to see this performance it kept your attention the entire time and there were things for you to learn also. I say it was great. The "n" word could have been used less.
The problem was that this production paled in comparison to the Taper production of "Gem" about 4-5 years back. The central problem with this production was the performance by the actress playing Aunt Esther. The performance was by a decent actress, but she had the tone wrong (unlike Ms. Rashad at the Taper there was no believable mysticism to her portrayal), and it precluded the main themes of the play from being realized.
This is a fascinating look at a unique black community in 1904 Pittisburgh. Interesting with outstanding performances and staging. Well worth seeing.
Being from the deep south, the play reminded me of many deep truths and traditions found only in the south. Especially with the sense of family and belonging and duty unto thy neighbor. The reality of slavery was also a shock back to reality. This play really makes a person think about where one's loyalty lies. Even though we have laws, do we serve God or do we serve man? What about moral and ethical laws? The actors were excellent. I really didn't want it to end. But what great discussions we had afterwards. Fountain Theatre, Thank-You.
OMG from the moment it started it was captivating. It was so awesome I hated when we had to go to intermission, couldn't wait to come back to it!
OUTSTANDING PLAY! EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE. EVERYONE SHOULD GO SEE THIS PLAY.
Loved it! I even cried a bit.
Wonderfully acted production by one of the American Theatre's greatest writers. Everyone should see this production.
Amazing! What a performance! I absolutely loved it.
I really loved the set, it had so much detail. The characters were absolutely wonderful. The actual story was little slow, but it took off very nicely.
Terrific play. Wonderful actors. Excellent production.
too lengthy
The Fountain Theatre is a lovely, intimate, air-conditioned theater with 78 seats in four rows. It has won over 100 awards for theater excellence, including every major theater award in Los Angeles. "Broadway-caliber! Everything is first class at the Fountain," says the Los Angeles Times. Back Stage West says, "This theatre company is a precious jewel in the City of Angels' crown. On... More
A soul's journey to freedom. The power of redemption. Pittsburgh, 1904. Citizen Barlow, a tormented young man, appears at the home of Aunt Ester, a legendary 285-year-old healer and "soul cleanser." She sends him on an unforgettable journey in search of healing, love and hope for a new life.
One of playwright August Wilson's masterpieces (''Best Play'' Tony nomination) from the acclaimed Fountain Theatre that presented the award-winning ''Joe Turner's Come and Gone''.
''Gem of the Ocean'' is the play that begins August Wilson's decade-by-decade cycle dramatizing the African American experience during the 20th century-an unprecedented series of 10 plays (2 Pulitzer Prize winners).
1904, Pittsburgh. Slavery is still a living memory. The haunting tale of Citizen Barlow, a spiritually tormented young man who pays a visit to the home of Aunt Ester, a former slave, on the eve of her 287th birthday. Citizen needs Aunt Ester, a legendary healer and ''soul-cleanser'', to help absolve him of the guilt and shame for an act he's committed. He asks if she can wash his soul and start him on the road to redemption. She sends him on a magical spiritual journey across history and time aboard the legendary slave ship, Gem of the Ocean, to the mythic City of Bones, which leads to startling discoveries and sets him on a course where duty leads to redemption.
The people who pass through Aunt Esther's house are an unforgettable collection of emotionally rich, compelling, and endearing characters. Her home teems with activity, a sanctuary where troubled people come to be cleansed of guilt and sorrow as they endure harsh factory working conditions and an inhospitable city.
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