1904, Pittsburgh: 1839 Wylie Street in the Hill District is the home of Aunt Ester, a 287-year-old former slave, who is a keeper of tradition and history for her people and a renowned cleanser of souls. The people who pass through her parlor and kitchen include Eli, Aunt Ester’s protector; Black Mary, her housekeeper and protegé; Solly Two Kings, a former slave, conductor on the Underground Railroad and scout for the Union Army; Black Mary’s brother, Cesar, a constable; Rutherford Selig, a white peddler; and Citizen Barlow, a new arrival from down South who needs Aunt Ester to help him absolve the guilt and shame from a crime he’s committed.

An incident at the local mill has ignited the African-American community. A black man was accused of stealing a bucket of nails. Rather than confessing to a crime he didn’t commit, he jumped into the river and drowned. This has made him a martyr to his co-workers who have gone on strike and are rioting. Cesar, the local law enforcement official, is in the middle of it. He’s arrested many people and shot one.

Against this turbulent backdrop Aunt Ester launches Citizen on a spiritual journey aboard the legendary slave ship, Gem of the Ocean, to the mythical City of Bones. There, Citizen comes to understand the story of his ancestors and faces the truth about his crime and the man he wronged.

Meanwhile, somebody sets fire to the mill. Cesar comes to the house and accuses Solly of arson. Solly strikes Cesar and runs away. Aunt Ester and Rutherford Selig help Solly sneak out of the city, accompanied by Citizen Barlow. However, Cesar catches up to Solly and shoots him. When Cesar comes to Aunt Ester’s to question Citizen about the incident, Black Mary renounces Cesar. Cesar leaves and Citizen takes up where Solly left off, guiding his people on their journey toward freedom.

For Families: August Wilson’s ten-play cycle is one of the most important theatrical achievements of our time, and the educational and artistic value of this play is enormous. The play contains a single instance of profanity, so parents should use their discretion.