Two Lost Souls

Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues

Pompey and his longtime professional partner Ollie once had a successful Vaudevillian comedy act. Together they toured the country playing every theater on the circuit, telling corny jokes, singing catchy ditties and performing a jaunty soft shoe routines to ragtime. But that was then and this is now—1993, actually. In a cruddy, cluttered apartment on the north side of Chicago we meet Pompey. He’s now in his eighties and haunted by that day, long ago, when he could no longer remember the lines to their comedy routines. It was at that point that Ollie decided that it was time to pull the plug on the act. Now, with Ollie gone, Pompey has the blues, blaming his faulty memory for the demise of their successful career.  

Marsha, Pompey’s adult daughter, suddenly arrives at her father’s vermin-infested flat, rousing him from his reverie. She seems to be very concerned for his wellbeing. After all, Marsha hasn’t been able to reach her father by his landline phone, since service was discontinued. Marsha finds the apartment filled with mountains of memorabilia, piles of putrid clothing, stacks of soiled old newspapers and an eternity of empty cans of Spaghetti-O’s. When she finally persuades Pompey to open the door, Marsha finds her father running around in his underwear because he can’t find his pants amid all the mess. But the real mess is the relationship between a father and daughter. 

Adding to the day’s turmoil is the arrival of Jet, whose actual name is J’Taurius. He’s Marsha’s teenage foster son and, as a special surprise to Pompey, Jet is African-American. When the audience hears how awful this affable young man’s young life has been, so far, it’s understandable that he’s filled with so much anger. Jet’s annoyance is exacerbated by this “old, white man” constantly calling him “colored” and suspecting him of stealing. But, while Marsha leaves to buy groceries for her father, Jet and Pompey are left alone together. She’s instructed them to work together and clean up Pompey’s foul and filthy flat. As the time passes, what begins as hostile antagonism gradually develops into mutual trust and a guarded friendship. The camaraderie between Jet and Pompey subtly transforms both lonely men and provides a satisfying payoff for these two lost souls.

After last season’s Jeff Award-nominated production of THE RECLAMATION OF MADISON HEMINGS, this final production of American Blues’ 2024/25 season offers another collaboration between the same two talented theatre artists. Prolific playwright and Artistic Affiliate Charles Smith and gifted Ensemble member Director Chuck Smith unite once more to create theater magic. Guided with insight and sensitivity, Mr. Smith has carefully fashioned the author’s script into a heartfelt tale about two people reaching out to each other across racial and cultural divides. Both men are eager for just one moment of compassion and human connection, no matter how temporary and transient. In the end, two, seemingly very dissimilar individuals, find that they’re much more alike than they thought.

American Blues production stars two astonishingly powerful actors. A proud Ensemble member since 1988, the always brilliant Dennis Cockrum is simply phenomenal as Pompey. Seen in BAD MOON, DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS and ON THE WATERFRONT, Mr. Cockrum owns the stage from the very first moments and never lets up until he takes his well-earned standing ovation. But he’s matched by the powerful portrayal of Jet by gifted young actor, Justin Banks. A recent graduate of Vanderbilt University, Mr. Banks makes his American Blues debut in this production. He’s been seen, however, at Second City, and is a contributing writer for The Onion. Hopefully Chicago audiences will be seeing a lot more of this talented actor in the future.

The supporting cast includes Dawn Bach as Marsha. Another proud American Blues Ensemble member, Ms. Bach was seen in productions of CATCH-22, A LIE OF THE MIND and DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. She creates a layered character who at first appears to be selflessly concerned about her father and her foster son. But as the play progresses, we learn more about Marsha’s hidden motives. And another Second City alum, veteran actor James Sherman sweetly portrays Ollie. This talented writer is the much-produced author of such plays as THE GOD OF ISAAC, BEAU JEST and CHAGALL IN SCHOOL. He pops up continually throughout the play, haunting Pompey with memories, moral observations and sound suggestions.

Staged upon Scenic Designer Shayna Patel’s detailed and realistically grungy and debris-filled setting, Chuck Smith has staged an engaging story. Charles Smith’s comic drama is about two desperate and lonely souls who, despite their initial differences, discover the things that unite them. Barriers break down and, through a mutual love of music and the arts, a connection takes place. This heartfelt story about an unlikely communication that evolves during an afternoon surpasses race and a generational divide. This production will leave the audience with hope as two lost souls come together, if only for a moment. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 23-June 29 by American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-654-3103 or go to www.boxoffice@AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.