A brand-new play by first-time playwright Evan Carrington debuts at Laurel Mill Playhouse, under the direction of Jeremy Keith Hunter. Save My Black Soul is an ambitious period piece, full of ideas and conversations, many of which have ongoing relevance. Our story follows an actor turned drama coac h who, frustrated with the roles offered by Hollywood to Black actors, determines to ensure the next generation of African American performers are equipped with not only acting skills but the backbone to insist on better treatment within the industry. Save My Black Soul has elements of a biographical drama, a stylized Bob Fosse piece, and a single-character psychological introspection. These elements do not always work well together. It is tricky, even as an experienced audience member, to sort out meanings and messages when the lines between representational and metaphorical portions of the show are not well-defined.  Gifty Amponsem (as Delores Gray), Angela Whittaker-Carrington (Diane Spears), Kameron King (The Actor), Kevin Thorne II (Edward Foster), and Joshua Prescott (John-James Davis) in ‘Save My Black Soul.’ Photo by John Cholod. Director Jeremy Keith Hunter works with an undeniably talented cast, well worth watching. Hunter keeps the cast moving around during a potentially talky show to keep visual interest high. The characters and their relationships come through clearly, and the audience is invested in their personal journeys. Each character is engaging and expressive, and we root for them and their goals even when we are not in complete agreement with their motivations. Standout performances include Kevin E. Thorne II as Edward Foster, Gifty Amponsem as Delores Gray, and Justin Ohiozoje Oratokhai as Sam Nelson. Angela Carrington has a vocal number that showcases her terrific voice. Kameron King, as The Actor, is fascinating to watch, though I remain unclear what he represents. Costume designer Imari Pyles gives the cast costumes that are not so period-specific that they cannot move forward in time — we see characters in stylistically appropriate wardrobe, which continues to be appropriate as the years progress. Sound designer Ryan Anthony delivers crucially important moments by way of voiceover, as well as incidental music and environmental sounds. The set is sparse and modular, placed mostly around the edges of the stage, and frequently moved mid-scene by a stagehand who pretends, as the actors pretend, that she is not there. Kudos to Baltimore playwright Evan Carrington. He has created a compelling story and incorporated a great scope of concepts. The script is dense, with long expository swatches of dialogue, which occasionally feel repetitive. Stylistically, it seems undecided, which partly explains the show’s clarity issues. Contemporary language sprinkled throughout the “period piece” distracts from the purported time of the action. Some judicious editing could tighten this show into a real gem. As is, Save My Black Soul is a major accomplishment and quite entertaining.  LEFT: Gifty Amponsem (Delores Gray) and Kendall Arin Claxton (Mabel Sims); RIGHT: Justin Oratokhari (Sam Nelson) and Joshua Prescott (John-James Davis), in ‘Save My Black Soul.’ Photos by John Cholod. Save My Black Soul has a lot of moving parts. Though the message is muddled, the motives are compelling. Save My Black Soul is an entertaining exploration of the “make your own party” concept, full of engaging characters, and worth seeing as an early iteration of a show that has great promise and potential. Laurel Mill Playhouse is on Main Street in the historic area of Laurel, and during the daytime, it’s a very cute neighborhood. Parking is tight in Old Town Laurel. In the evening, things are mostly closed. Arriving early to secure parking would allow a visit to shops or restaurants, including the conveniently located Olive on Main, or Red, Hot and Blue, Acapulco Grill, and Oliver’s Old Town Tavern, a little way down the street. For a matinee performance, I can personally recommend the coffee at Ragamuffins Coffee House. Running Time: One hour and 50 minutes, including one intermission. Save My Black Soul plays through February 1, 2026 (Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 2 PM), at Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main Street, Laurel, MD. Tickets ($20, adults; $15, children 18 and under, seniors 65 and over, active and retired military) can be purchased online or by calling301-617-9906.  The program for Save My Black Soul is online here. Final Factoid: Laurel Mill Playhouse has been operating in the community for 50 years. It takes the “community” part of community theater very seriously. I’ve seen some thought-provoking pieces here over the years. Next up at Laurel Mill is By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage. The post Entertaining ‘Save My Black Soul’ premieres at Laurel Mill Playhouse appeared first on DC Theater Arts. ...read more read less