The tiny boat that Citizen Barlow cups in his hands is made from a sheet of yellow, folded parchment. The craft, named The Gem of the Ocean, would dissolve the second it made contact with actual water.
Nonetheless, the seemingly fragile vessel is sturdy enough to transport a man in anguish on the voyage of a lifetime, a journey that cleanses his soul. Can there by a stronger statement of playwright August Wilson's faith in the power of paper, and the words written upon them?
If you go Gem of the Ocean runs through April 27 at Everyman Theatre, 1727 N. Charles St. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets cost $18-$35. Call 410-752-2208 or go to everymantheatre.org.
