Welcome to the Guthrie Theater. Whether this is your first or 50th visit here, I'm thrilled you are joining us for this special production by Penumbra Theatre Company.

In 1997, the Guthrie presented Penumbra's production of August Wilson's Fences on the thrust stage at Vineland Place. I have great admiration for Wilson's work and it was important for us to have his work represented - for the first time - on our stage. Penumbra Theatre, under Lou Bellamy's direction, offers definitive interpretations of Wilson's work and we are blessed to have them as part of our community in the Twin Cities.

Penumbra is to be congratulated for its plan to produce the entirety of August Wilson's Twentieth Century Cycle over the course of the next five years. Wilson's cycle is one of the most ambitious theatrical achievements of the latter part of the 20th century and a remarkable addition to the American canon. The poetry of Wilson's language, the delineation of his characters and the power of his message, illustrating a sometimes forgotten history, together make him one of the great American playwrights. I hope you will discover - or rediscover - the delight in the work of this powerful and eloquent playwright.

To have the considerable talents of the Penumbra Theatre Company bring Wilson's words to life makes this truly a special event. We are particularly thrilled that this is Penumbra's first production of Gem of the Ocean. The 2003 play was the penultimate play written for his 10-play cycle.

A warm welcome to Penumbra founder and artistic director Lou Bellamy - fresh from an Obie Award for his production of Two Trains Running at Signature Theatre in New York - who directs the production, and to the wonderfully talented cast and creative team he has assembled. We are pleased that Penumbra will join us again next spring here on this stage as it presents Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, marking the 50th anniversary of that groundbreaking show's initial Broadway production.

 
Joe Dowling
Guthrie Director

 

Penumbra Theatre Company has been hailed as the definitive interpreter of August Wilson's work. A founding company member of Penumbra, Wilson spent important years with us in St. Paul. He sat in countless rehearsals watching his friends and fellow artists stage plays that explored the depth and breadth of the African American experience. He marveled at the mission, the vision and the commitment that Penumbra's artists demonstrated. He was inspired to write for the actors whom he called his friends. It was, as they say, the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

This year Penumbra announced its intent to produce August Wilson's entire Twentieth Century Cycle. Over the next five years, Penumbra will produce two Wilson plays per season, providing the Twin Cities theatre canvas with the rich, deep work of one of the most important playwrights of our time.

Wilson once said, "the contents of my mother's cabinet are worthy of the highest art." He gave African American artists the room to explore the human condition within the comfort and confines of our own culture. The characters he created are mighty, the stories epic in scope. Through his plays we can experience, ponder and reckon with our unique American history, one that includes slavery and the struggle to repair the damage done by the corrosive influence of racism. Producing Wilson's work promotes dialogue, empathy and understanding-testimony that theatre truly can make the world a more just and humane place.

This collaboration between the Guthrie and Penumbra means that more audiences will have the opportunity to witness artistically excellent, thought-provoking and culturally specific theatre. Together we achieve something that neither organization could do alone. We have the ability to create a national model for collaborative work. As America becomes more diverse it is imperative that arts institutions respect the purview of cultural authenticity and self-representation. August Wilson dedicated his life to telling the stories of his people. It is so very important that we treat this art with the utmost respect and reverence it deserves. I hope that you enjoy the performance and that together we can continue to offer this work for your enjoyment and consideration.

 
Lou Bellamy
Penumbra Artistic Director

© 2012 Penumbra Theatre