Set amid the Chicago's gangster-run South Side in the 1950s, this world premiere drama by Jerry Jones reveals turf wars mob-style, making strange bedfellows of blacks and Italians. Woven into the tale is a real-life character, Two-Gun Pete (Kenneth Foster the night reviewed), one of the "baddest black cops" in history. Two brothers, Bennett (Carl Crudup) and Ed Powell (Fitz Houston the night reviewed), own a black nightspot about to go under because of debts owed to mobster Tony Castalla (Bobby Jasmin). Castalla makes a deal with the brothers to take over controlling interest as partner and turn the club into a high-class joint, The Club Rumboogie. This places the Powell boys in the middle of lots of money; hot, live entertainment; gunplay; and danger.
The cast of nearly 25 runs the gamut of abilities. Just a few at the top of the list are Houston, Crudup, and Angela Bennett as Jewel, Ed's wife. They seem to add solidity to the story. Foster also gives an interesting and rather complex performance as the quick-triggered, Cagneyesque, but sadly underwritten Two-Gun.
Unfortunately, Jones' script waters down the drama of the piece, showing us too little of the wars within the races and between the races. Instead too much stage time is given to the nighttime club activities. Director Chris Palmquist could have concentrated more on onstage crowd control to avoid the occasional sloppiness. Also not helping are lighting mishaps, a slapdash club sign, and costumes that, though attractive, are from later years. On the plus side, there are good moments, a bevy of long-legged beauties, and a terrific five-piece band (Elijah Anderson vocals/lead guitar, Bobby Brown horns/sax solos, Kozy Washington on drums, Bill Eddings on piano, and Sigmond Dillard, bassist). The cherry on top comes via blues numbers by Carla Stephanie Bagnerise and Constance Denise.
Presented by and at the MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Jun. 30-Aug. 13. (323) 957-1152. www.themettheatre.com.