Gem of the Ocean, by August Wilson, delves into the magical voyage of Citizen, a man seeking a new life at the bustling home of 287-year-old Aunt Ester. Ester, the fiery and spiritual matriarch of a tight-knit group of local characters, sets Citizen off on a journey that gives testament to the incredible complexity of what it really means to be free.

Phylicia Rashad shead the cast of the Bay Area premiere, reprising the role of Aunt Ester -- the role she originated and was nominated for a Tony Award for in the play's Broadway premiere. A 2005 Tony Award nominee for best new play, Gem of the Ocean is directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson and features A.C.T. core acting company members Steven Anthony Jones and Gregory Wallace.