Report: August Wilson Says Hays Is Gem's Angel

By Robert Simonson
11 Nov 2004

Producer Carole Shorenstein Hays, whose credits include Take Me Out and Caroline, or Change, may be the producer to save the Broadway production of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, Variety reported.

August Wilson told observers at the Chicago Humanities Festival that San Francisco-based Hays was coming on board with the needed cash, the trade daily said.

Gem of the Ocean, which has been struggling over the past weeks to replace a shortfall in its $2 million production budget, cancelled its Nov. 4-14 performances.

An official press release read, "Following the loss of a major investor, August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean will not begin preview performances on Thursday, November 4 at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) as originally scheduled.  Tickets have been taken off sale through Sunday, Nov. 14 while replacement funds are sought by the producing team of Jujamcyn Theaters and The Araca Group.  A revised performance schedule and official opening date are to be announced shortly. Consumers who have tickets for performances from Thursday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 14 should go to their point of purchase to exchange for a future performance or for a refund."

The announcement fell short of saying that Nov. 16 would be the play's first preview.

The trouble began late in October, when a major investor pulled out of the venture, taking an unspecified chunk of the $2 million capitalization with them. The unexpected loss of cash sent lead producer Benjamin Mordecai in search of new investors. Meanwhile, the load-in of the production's set into Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre has been delayed, and a new marquee remains unhung.

Gem ended a Boston run on Oct. 30. It was to have begun previews at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Nov. 4 and open Nov. 11.

The staging stars last season's Tony Award-winner, Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), as Aunt Ester, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Caesar and LisaGay Hamilton as Black Mary. The cast also features John Earl Jelks as Citizen Barlow and Raynor Scheine as Rutherford Selig.