Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues
Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues, by Artistic Affiliate Charles Smith, directed by legendary ensemble member Chuck Smith, is an enthralling narrative that explores the fundamental human emotions that unite us all, transcending the divides of race, religion, and age. Through simplistic yet raw dialogue, it showcases the shared struggles and aspirations of two people from contrasting cultural backgrounds, connecting their experiences and a poignant and heartfelt journey of lost souls seeking peaceful solitude from their struggles. It tells the story of a young African American adolescent named Jet, who has been shuffled through foster parents and the Audy Home, a temporary juvenile detention center, and an aging white vaudevillian named Pompey, whose life has been dramatically altered when his old comedy partner decides to end their routine. They are unexpectedly joined together when Pompey's daughter, Marsha, comes to visit him. Both characters reveal a stubbornness and a blatant disregard for anyone who ventures into their private domain, yet they discover a surprising kinship despite their vastly different cultural backgrounds.
It begins with two aging vaudevillian performers, Pompey and Ollie, as they refine their act. As they rehearse, Pompey is unable to remember his lines and struggles with his cues, prompting Ollie to consider ending their onstage duet. Ollie wishes to ditch their comic act, but Pompey pleads for one last chance, clinging to the historic glory of their once-vibrant partnership. Now living in solitude within a dilapidated apartment, Pompey's surroundings reflect his chaotic life. The space is cramped and cluttered, filled with half-empty cans of Uh-Oh SpaghettiOs, dirty dishes, neglected laundry, unironed clothing tossed haphazardly, and old newspapers, yellowed with age. Each item tells a story of a life that was once filled with joy but is now marred by the weight of solitude.
One afternoon, his daughter, Marsha (played by Dawn Bach), concerned about his welfare and unable to contact him, comes to his apartment. Seeing his place in disarray, she urges him to clean up the place, but he refuses even after she threatens to send him to an assisted living residence. Jet comes up to the apartment to tell Marsha, his current foster parent, that the police are about to ticket her car, and Pompey thinks he's a criminal coming to steal from him. After arguing with Pompey about seeing a doctor, she asks Jet to help him clean up while she goes to the store to purchase groceries for Pompey. Golden Leaf Ragtimes Blues explores individuals from different eras, conveying a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, despair, love, desire, and frustration, throughout the play. The cast, comprising Dawn Bach, James Sherman, Dennis Cockrum, and Justin Banks, combines to deliver a captivating performance. I was highly impressed with Bank's performance as Jet. For a young actor, his command of the stage was outstanding, helping the audience feel the struggles and pains that Jet lived through as a teenager, being tossed from multiple foster homes to juvenile detention centers. The relationship between Cockrun and Banks was equally impressive. Two lost souls coming together and sharing their past and present struggles and fears was profoundly moving. With both playing the piano to perfection.
American Blues Theater offers an insightful booklet that provides information about foster care, including its benefits and challenges, from its inception. Chicagoan Charles Smith drew on his experience of living in a segregated neighborhood enforced by redlining as a catalyst for this remarkable narrative. Using other narratives, such as racial profiling and deliberate reinforcements of racial boundaries, Smith brings together characters of different hues through conflict and comedy to remind humanity that even though Jet and Pompey come from different eras and are nationalists, they (we) are more connected than isolated. Smith's play truly compels audiences to engage deeply with the story, making Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues a charming and insightful work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
American Blues Theater
Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues
By Charles Smith
Directed by Chuck Smith
May 23 - June 29, 2025
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