By J.E. Ballantyne Jr.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – August Wilson, the late playwright, has carved a formidable niche in the theater world with his many works. But his most recognized are contained in what is known as the Pittsburgh Cycle, a 10-play chronicle taking place in the city where he lived decade by decade.
“Gem of the Ocean,” which opened at the Playhouse on Friday night, is actually his ninth work but is the first in the Pittsburgh Cycle. Told against the backdrop of the Hill District of Pittsburgh in 1904, the play focuses on Aunt Ester, a former slave and “soul-cleanser,” who claims to be 285 years old.
Being the family matriarch, Ester rules the house with an iron hand and is the keeper of all the family secrets. Nailah Thomas has the arduous task of playing Ester. I say arduous in the sense that almost the entire weight of the play rests on this role.
Thomas, although not really in the age range you would expect for Ester, carries the role off very well. She shows a stern demeanor and that she can be a crafty disciplinarian when she needs to be. It is clear that Thomas has fun with the role as she highlights Ester’s sense of humor often. Most families have a similar matriarch, so Thomas makes Ester a very relatable character.
Thomas approaches the character from a soft benevolent angle but maintains that authority and experience that her life has brought to her. She makes Thomas the driving force for everyone around her.
Black Mary and Eli both reside with Ester in her Wylie Avenue home. Mary, played by Jaietta Jackson, came to Ester’s house three years previous when she knocked on the door and was willing to do laundry. She pretty much takes care of the entire house but not as it should be under Ester’s watchful eyes. Jackson does well with the role of Mary as she handles the many levels that the character requires.
Starting off as the dutiful helper to Ester, she easily traverses the many different moods and character changes that Mary goes through including the ability Mary finally finds to stand up to Ester’s constant dissatisfaction.
Waymond Grace Sr. as Eli, Ester’s caregiver, who also resides in the house, gives a solid performance but sometimes came off as a little too rehearsed and lacking that certain spontaneity to certain situations as they took place. But Grace seemed to feel at home with the role and did well.
The house is visited by various character types that come and go with frequency through the show. Terry Shears, a top Playhouse character actor, assumes the role of Rutherford Selig, a friend and peddler, who sells Mary various items such as pots. pans and dust pans. Shears does well with a great character accent making Selig a memorable and lovable visitor whenever he arrives. The accent places a nice finishing touch to this rustic traveler. His smooth portrayal of Selig makes for a very believable member of Ester’s inner circle.
Citizen Barlow, played well by Daniel C. Colvin, is the pivotal character of the piece. Barlow arrives at Ester’s home seeking to be cleansed for a crime that he says that he committed. He is having a difficult time living with himself and was told that Aunt Ester could help him. Colvin plays the many layered Barlow with care. Nervous, unsure of himself, and awkward when he first arrives, Colvin takes the character through various transformations. His scene aboard the legendary slave ship, Gem of the Ocean, in Act II, is a high point in the character development.
Solly Two Kings and Caesar also provide two great characters that add to the flavor of the production. Solly, played by veteran actor DC Colvin, is a flinty former slave from Alabama and former scout for the Union Army. He makes a living gathering dog excrement, which he refers to as “pure.” Colvin adds a good bit of humor to the production as he puts a hard-worn edge to the character of Solly.
Solly has been around and he expounds his knowledge to anyone and everyone who will listen. But Colvin also presents a soft side to Solly with a romantic interest in Ester. He carries a big walking stick with him that ends up becoming a sort of extension of the character.
Caesar, Black Mary’s brother, played by Arcale Peace, is a hard-nosed policeman who adheres to the law like glue to paper, with no qualms of shooting someone for any minor offense. The fact that he is financially blessed convinces him that he has been propelled to a higher level than those around him. Caesar has an opinion of everyone and has no problem keeping everyone underfoot. Peace creates a rough unforgiving character in Caesar. His initial Act I scene is a tirade of accusations and fiery opinions.
Although good with the character, Peace could have made a stronger impact the first time around. He began his tirade at a fever pitch and left it there the whole time; no growth. Building the speech and the scene from a calmer level up to the fever pitch may have served him much better and would have involved the audience in a more gradual manner and perhaps a more powerful payoff.
Set design by Charles A. Nasby is first rate. It reflects the early 1900s house in the Pittsburgh Hill District complete with tall draped windows and weathered wood doors. The dark walls added a sense of age to the house. The shift to the ship Gem of the Ocean was minimal but truly effective.
Lighting design by Jim Canacci added a homey warmth to the house and feeling of adventure to the ship scene in Act II. Costumes by Ali Turns fit the period as well as the change of costumes for the voyage providing a highlight.
Director Dr. Lundeana Thomas has put together a good production of the Wilson play. From her casting to her direction, the show plays well on the Playhouse stage and gives her actors a chance to shine.
August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean” will continue Feb. 22, 28, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 23, March 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured at top: The cast of the Youngstown Playhouse’s production of “Gem of the Ocean” includes Dan Colvin, Jaietta Jackson, Terry Shears, Arcane Peace, DC Colvin, Nailah Thomas and Waymond Grace.