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Tuesday, November 2, 2004
‘Gem,’ directed by Kenny Leon, postponed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Previews of August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean," set to begin Thursday
with direction by Kenny Leon, have been postponed while additional funding for the Broadway production is sought.
“We are announcing that we are starting previews Nov. 16, with an opening to
be announced later,” said publicist Carol Fineman of New York’s Barlow-Hartman Public Relations.
Last week, word began to trickle out that a major investor had left the show,
resulting in a $1.2 million shortfall. Tuesday afternoon’s announcement said that the producing team of Jujamcyn Theaters and The Araca Group would continue to seek financing.
There has been some speculation that Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, who starred in Leon's
Tony Award-winning “A Raisin in the Sun” earlier this year, is being solicited for contributions.
"Gem of the Ocean" has a $2 million budget and a $750,000 box-office advance, considered healthy for a new play. “That's actually greater than the 'Raisin' s advance," says Leon, who directs Atlanta's True Colors Theatre. “So it looks like it could do well.�
The 9th in Wilson's decade-by-decade account of the 20th century African-American
experience, “Gemâ€? stars Phylicia Rashad (who won a Tony for “Raisin”) as Aunt Ester, an ancient African-American woman with great insight. John Earl Jelks plays Citizen Barlow, who arrives on Ester’s doorstep seeking absolution for a crime that led to a co-worker’s suicide.
Leon played Barlow in the original Goodman Theatre production in Chicago last year.
The Broadway cast also includes: Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Tony Award winner for Wilson’s "Seven Guitars"), Lisa Gay Hamilton, and Eugene Lee (True Colors' "Fences").
“Gem” ticket holders may get refunds or make exchanges at the point of purchase. Tickets for performances beginning Nov. 16: 212-239-6200; or telecharge.com. The show is at the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 W. 48th St., Manhattan.
