August Wilson’s GEM OF THE OCEAN

August Wilson’s GEM OF THE OCEAN

Playing in the Long Beach Playhouse’s Mainstage Theater

Feb. 21 – Mar. 21, 2026

By August Wilson

Directed by Rovin Jay

Master playwright, August Wilson, blends naturalism, mysticism, and magical realism to explore the experience of a Black community at the turn of the 20th century. It’s 1904, and Citizen Barlow comes seeking asylum in the Pittsburgh Hill District home of matriarch and spiritual advisor Aunt Ester. She sets him off on a spiritual journey aboard the legendary slave ship Gem of the Ocean to visit the home of the ancestors, the City of Bones. Confronted with the plight of those who came before him, Citizen must come to terms with his own guilt in this unsettling but compelling story filled with humor and heart that is a touchstone for everything else that Wilson has written.

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THIS PRODUCTION CLOSED MARCH 21ST, 2026.

AGE LIMIT

As a courtesy to our patrons, it is the policy of the theatre not to admit children under the age of 5. This policy may be altered from time to time based on shows and show content.

This Show Contains:

• Adult Language, Themes and Content
• Racially Charged Language
• Flashing & Pulsing Lights
• Smoke and Fog Effects
• Simulated Smoking

Act One is Approx. 1 hr. 25 mins.

There will be a 15 Minute Intermission

Act Two is Approx. 1 hr. 12 mins.

A BIG THANK YOU to The Port of Long Beach for Sponsoring our production of GEM OF THE OCEAN!!!

PREVIEW CLIP:

PERFORMANCE PHOTOS:

CAST:

• Gary Gibson (ELI)
• Asim Rashad (CITIZEN BARLOW)
• Daphne Jones (AUNT ESTER TYLER)
• Chaunice Hendking (BLACK MARY)
• Bob Baumsten (RUTHERFORD SELIG)
• Maurice G. Smith (SOLLY TWO KINGS)
• Dan White (CAESAR WILKS)