Johnnie Taylor is Gone
by Gregory S. Carr
Directed by Thomasina Clarke
Aquarian Rising Productions
April 26, 2025
Image: Aquarian Rising Productions
Aquarian Rising Productions is a relatively new local theatre company, centering on Black artists and experiences, and, according to the press release for their latest production, “will focus on theatre from a Black perspective, drawing from all playwrights and genres”. Their newest show, Johnnie Taylor is Gone, is the work of local playwright Gregory S. Carr, drawing the attention on a particular time and place in St. Louis, with many local references. It features a cast of local performers under the direction of Thomasina Clarke, in a story that will be relatable to some and educational to others.
The story takes place in a North St. Louis bar called the Golden Zodiac Lounge, where owner Strong (Archie Coleman) and longtime employee Annie (Mardra Thomas) keep the atmosphere geared for an “old school” over 30 crowd, and a prominent jukebox features soul, jazz, and R & B hits largely from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. The time in the early 2000’s when the younger crowd is more interested in hip-hop hits from Nelly and others, represented by Jay-G (Sequoi Edwards), the son of an estranged old friend of Strong’s. Jay-G operates his own establishment geared for the younger crowd, which is doing well while Strong struggles to pay his expenses and keep the lights on while maintaining his old-school standards. The Zodiac also has its cast of regulars and workers, including servers Bette (LaWanda Jackson)–a single mother who is supporting a young son–and the chronically late Wanda (Arriel Cummings), who seems to have more than a professional relationship with Strong, and who also is receiving mysterious notes from Jay-G. There are also longtime customers Bruh (Juan Smith) and Pace (Jeremy Thomas), who swap stories about old times, and Bud (Jaz Tucker), who gets teased by the others for only seeming to want to date white women, even though he also seems close to local police officer Judy (Iesha Edwards). There’s also Churchill (Don McClendon), who shows up unexpectedly much to Annie’s dismay, as the two have a connection that is soon revealed. Over the course of the story, drama unfolds as relationships are tested, romances are teased, and old values clash with new as many, many local St. Louis references are dropped, leading to a few fairly predictable situations, a bit of repetitious dialogue, and a conclusion that seems a too easy, although the characters are memorable and the sense of time and place are especially well-established.
The setting and time have been well-realized in this production, as director and set designer Clarke has made the most of the church sanctuary space at the Jefferson Avenue Mission by thoroughly transforming it into the the Golden Zodiac Lounge, with a bar, dartboard, tables and chairs, decorated walls, and that well-situated jukebox. There’s also excellent work by costume designer Darrious Varner, outfitting the characters in clothes that suit their characters and the time period well. The lighting by Nathan Olvey and sound by Varner are also good for the most part, although there were noticeable issues and outages at the performance I saw (the second night of the run). The theming of this show is well done, and all the local references were alternately recognizable and educational to me.
The cast of local performers is enthusiastic and energetic, for the most part, led by the memorable duo of Coleman and Mardra Thomas as Strong and Annie, who are essentially the heart and soul of this story. These two have credible presence and chemistry as old friends with an underlying sense of something more. There are also memorable turns from Tucker, Smith, and Jeremy Thomas as trio of longtime regulars and friends, and Edwards as the personable Judy. Thes rest of the cast lend fine support as well.
Although the play does tend to have dips in energy at times, and the first act can be a bit long, for the most part this is an entertaining, informative examination of changing times and values, with a vivid sense of setting and time. It’s a very St. Louis story, with a very St. Louis cast and crew. It’s an intriguing production from a newer organization in the St. Louis theatre scene, and I look forward to seeing more of what this company has to offer in the future.
Aquarian Rising Productions is presenting Johnnie Taylor is Gone at Jefferson Avenue Mission until May 4, 2025