UCF and The REP Partner to Present Locomotion

Theatre UCF and Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP) are proud to present Locomotion, November 18, 19 & 20, 2011 at The REP. Based of the award-winning novel by Jacqueline Woodson, Locomotion tells the story of Lonnie Collins Motion, an 11-year-old boy learning to find hope through his talents. This production is a co-collaboration with the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.

Lonnie has so much kinetic energy that his nickname, Locomotion, is perfect. He has seen a lot of sadness in his young life. When he discovers his passion for writing poetry, he finds a way to express his feelings about the accident that took his parents away, his foster care family, his little sister, his school life, and his unique way of looking at the world.

This production is recommended for ages 9 and up.

Locomotion runs November 18 at 7pm, November19 at 12pm & 4pm, November 20 at 2pm & 5:30pm. For tickets and more information, please call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com.

Gem of the Ocean Plays at Theatre UCF Nov. 17-20, Dec. 1-4

Theatre UCF presents August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean at the University of Central Florida Black Box theatre starting on November 17.

The play is the first installment of Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle, which consists of ten plays that chronicle the African-American experience in Pittsburgh's Hill District in the 1900s. The Cycle includes the Pulitzer Prize-winning plays Fences and The Piano Lesson. (The Piano Lesson will be presented locally by Seminole State College in February 2012.)

In the play, many newly freed slaves find themselves at the home of Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old former slave and renowned "soul-cleanser." Citizen Barlow comes to Aunt Ester seeking to be absolved of a crime that has thrust the Pittsburgh community into riots. With the help of some accomplices, Aunt Ester launches Citizen on a journey aboard the legendary slave ship, Gem of the Ocean, to the City of Bones, where Citizen is plunged into his ancestors' suffering and the weight of his wrongs.

"Gem of the Ocean is wonderfully rich with the intricate layers of the African American pre- and post-slavery experience," says Be Boyd, UCF Associate Professor who is performing the role of Aunt Ester. "The spirituality and humanity of this piece are palpable. It is one of the last two plays August Wilson wrote before his death; he knew his time was not long for this earth when he wrote this beautiful story. This play is a 'spiritual imprint' and one of the greatest gifts he left us."

Director Julia Listengarten explains that the play is not short--it runs two and a half hours--but that the story needs to unravel and is beautiful in its construction. "Gem of the Ocean infuses realism with poetry, concrete detail with symbolism, humor with tragedy, realistic dialogue with ritual, cultural specificity with universality and timelessness."

Gem of the Ocean has been highly acclaimed. During its 2004-05 run on Broadway, the play received five Tony nominations and The New York Times called the play "a swelling battle hymn of transporting beauty. Theatergoers who have followed August Wilson's career will find in Gem a touchstone for everything else he has written."

Theatre UCF is located on the UCF campus near the intersection of University Blvd. and Alafaya Trail in East Orlando. The show runs from November 17-20 and December 1-4 on Thursdays-Sundays, and shows begin at 8 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2 pm on Sundays.

To purchase tickets or for ticket information call the box office at (407) 823-1500. Ticket prices are $17.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors over 55 and $10.00 for students, with group rates available. It is strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance, available through the Theatre UCF box office. UCF offers accommodations to make the theatre more accessible to patrons with disabilities—for assistance, please call the box office in advance.

Photo by Erin Lartonoix.