Black Rep stages August Wilson’s March 28-April 15
By Kenya Vaughn
Of the St. Louis American
“I knew August very well and consider him a very good friend,” said Andrea Frye. “He has given us a structure for not only for great entertainment, but by which we can conduct our lives as African-Americans – and we need to make sure that his work is done, understood and built upon.”
As the Black Rep reaches the halfway point of it’s 30th anniversary season, Frye sits in the director’s chair for their upcoming production of Gem of the Ocean, which begins its run next Wednesday at the Grandel Theatre. She was eager to expound on the impact of Wilson’s life – and death – on black theatre and black life.
“It’s the same challenges you face when you lose any parent, and he is many ways the father of African-American theatre,” Frye said. “You must pick up the mantle and continue.”
Frye considers to Gem to be his greatest work. “In many ways it’s his best,” Frye said. It’s his tightest and full of his trademarks, including humor and connection to the past.”
Gem of the Ocean is the first of Wilson’s cycle of 10 plays that chronicle the lives of African-American families living in Pittsburgh’s Hill district. This is the ninth play of Wilson’s 10-play cycle that The Black Rep has produced.
Aunt Ester is 287 years old and a survivor of the first slave ships to come to America. As a revered elder in the community, she is also regarded as a washer of souls. When Citizen Barlow comes seeking sanctuary, Aunt Ester knows that the cleansing of his troubled soul will require a connection to his ancestors and to his history.
“The play sets up a lot of things thematically,” Frye said. “Knowing our history, not being defeated and being connected with your past and connected with the magic in everyday life.”
In addition to the production and part of the 30th anniversary season the Black Rep is hosting a symposium entitled, Beyond August Wilson: The State of African American Theatre.
The series of events will feature some of the very artists who have been provided opportunities via Wilson along with guest lecturers from across the country, special previews with designers and cast members, and other events focusing on the history and progress of African-American theatre.
The first lecture will take place this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Grandel Theatre and will feature a lecture and panelists that include Tony Award winning actresses L. Scott Caldwell and Viola Davis, Howard University professor Dr. Sandra Shannon, Director Lorna Littleway and award-winning Actress Yvette Ganier.
Ganier is reprising the role of Black Mary in Gem of the Ocean, a role she originated at the Goodman theatre in Chicago and is pleased to be returning to the character.
“It feels like I am completing something, finishing what I started,” said Ganier. “This has been an opportunity to find more layers affirm other aspects of the character.”
Ganier says that with Frye’s guidance her character and Wilson’s talents as a writer have become clearer. “This time around, I can see how gifted and blessed he really was,” Ganier said.
In addition to Ganier, Gem of the Ocean also stars Black Rep favorites Ron Himes, Linda Kennedy, A.C. Smith, J. Samuel Davis, Eric Kilpatrick and Whit Reichert.
“This play is about relationships with God and the next generation –
about redemption, truth; standing in the light and accepting responsibility for who we are and about levels of freedom” said Ganier.
“Slavery has given us a great benefit the benefit of knowing what disenfranchisement and dehumanization really means,” Frye said. “It has given profound insights that others don’t have. It makes us the guardians of freedom, and we must be vigilant.”
In the same regard that Frye holds for Wilson, she appreciates Ron Himes and The Black Rep for its 30 years of service to black theatre.
“Ron has established a refuge for African-American artists and a place to nurture,” Frye said.
The first event in The Black Rep’s 30th Anniversary Symposium entitled Beyond August Wilson: The State of African American Theatre will be held this Saturday, March 24 at 11 a.m. at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square.
The Black Rep’s production of Gem of the Ocean begins next Wednesday, March 28 and will continue through Sunday, April 15.
For more information, call (314) 534-3807 or visit www.theblackrep.org.