***** What happens to one when the life they have lived begins to fade away? As an older person, who visits other old friends in Senior housing projects and nursing homes, I have been witness to many old friends who have seen their lives pass them by. In Charles Smith’s “Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues” having its Chicago premiere at American Blues Theater ,we get to meet Pompey ( Dennis Cockrum is absolutely perfect) an aging vaudeville performer, who lives alone hoping to rediscover the magic in his past. His daughter Marsha (deftly handled by Dawn Bach) is concerned for his welfare and feels that his career path should be shut down and it is time for him to move into one of the many senior housing projects in the area.

At the very onset of the story as directed by another Smith ( Chuck Smith once again shows his feeling for each character) we meet Pompey and his partner, Ollie ( played to perfection by James Sherman, who most of us know more as a playwright) and see what their act was all about. It is almost real, although as the story evolves, one can only think that what we watched was more of Pompey’s memories as we learned that Ollie has passed away.

When Marsha arrives, to bring some order to her father’s life, as well as some food and perhaps find out why his phone has been unanswered, she brings along a young man, J’Taurius aka Jet ( a sharp character played to perfection by Justin Banks), with whom she has been working with in order to become a foster parent for. Marsha requests that her father and her African-American  “ward” clean up the apartment while she shops for some food that just might be edible. During this period of time, we are treated to a story of how opposites can attract. Old versus young- black versus white- two people who for all around them no longer have meaning or would ever be considered compatible, left to their own ways? Could anything positive take place from this situation?

What does take place is an amazing piece of work where these two men who share nothing at all become dependent on each other and see the qualities that each bring to the table. We see them overcome the hate and fear that each has for each other and for a short period of time we see the actual  blending of the two men despite all of the differences between them. At one point it seems as if they will find a way to get together and become a new sensational, and very different, act. I am not one to give away the ending to a play that has a unique and fulfilling ending, so I will only tell you that these two unique personalities, that have zero in common, end up doing the right thing in order for each to go forward with their individual lives. I will say no more except to say that this is a moving and touching work of art that I would put on your “To Do ” list!

On the technical side Shayna Patel’s set is powerful and the props by Tyson Carter are amazing ( and plentiful). The lighting ( Jared Gooding) and sound ( Warren Levon and Rick Sims) perfect. The costumes by Lily Walls are perfect.

“Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues” will continue Thru – Jun 29th with performances as follows: