Black Gold deals with an incredibly timely subject: oil. A resident of inner-city Detroit spends all his savings on an oil rig he buys off eBay and strikes it big in his backyard — so big that now there is enough oil that the U.S. could become virtually self-reliant for its oil consumption. Of course, finding all that oil has ramifications on the neighborhood, the U.S. and the world.
The show uses a five-person cast to act as narrators and many different characters. Kahlil Jahiz, Milton Britton Jr., Milicent Wright, Jonathan Spivey, Carmen Rae Meyers and Kurt Owens play core characters, but also make quick transitions into a myriad of other characters, under direction from Bryan Fonseca. The cast shows remarkably high energy and switches character mode fluidly. While the show itself is busy, and the narrated aspect over-used, the cast rises above any scripted flaws to create a fast-paced production, which has been labeled a “geopolitical comedy.” Not all the comedic parts are as funny as playwright Seth Rozin intended, but some nuggets shine through, such as the “petral-holic” who vividly describes the sensuality of pumping gas into his car.
Fonseca’s oil rig on stage works as a simple, yet elegant, backdrop — a constant reminder of our preoccupation with oil.
An intermission would have been nice, even though the show clocks in at just over an hour and a half. No break makes the show drag.
Black Gold is part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere — a program in which participating theaters come together to promote new plays. The current production at the Phoenix Theatre is only Black Gold’s second ever, and is its Midwest premiere. It continues at the Phoenix, 749 N. Park Ave., through May 4, with tickets at $25, or $15 for ages 24 and under. Call 317-635-PLAY or go to www.phoenixtheatre.org for reservations.