Jamar Gilbert (Photo by Brit Scott)
Reviewed by Madison Mellon
Hollywood Fringe @ The Actors Company
Through June 25
RECOMMENDED
In Black and Blue, writer/performer Jamar Gilbert delivers an emotionally charged and engaging one-man show that probes into the complexities of Black identity in America. Currently playing as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, the production is tightly structured and offers audiences a kaleidoscope of perspectives. By embodying a variety of characters, each navigating America’s fraught sociopolitical landscape from a different vantage point, Gilbert crafts a portrait of Blackness that is nuanced, conflicted and deeply human.
The premise is simple but effective: Gilbert rotates through distinct characters, each reacting to the same event from their unique points of view. While the character’s reactions differ greatly, they are all shaped by the same forces of injustice, trauma, hope, and survival. Gilbert is a charismatic and energetic performer, shifting physicality, cadence, and emotional tone with precision between each scene.
The play is well-structured and the pace never lags. The scenes are relatively cyclical, with each section having a nearly identical ending, but the variation in character keeps the form from ever feeling stale or overstaying its welcome. The repetition also serves to underscore one of the piece’s key themes: No matter how different the characters may seem, they’re all grappling with and navigating the same broken systems.
That said, there are moments when the writing veers into territory that feels slightly too polished or didactic. For instance, the police officer character articulates his frustration about police being expected to handle mental health calls without adequate training to do so. While this part of the monologue raises valid and pressing concerns, it does slip into a tone that feels more editorial than character-driven. Moments like this are few and far between, however, and the piece largely does an excellent job of allowing the characters to speak for themselves without the author’s hand being too heavy.
Where Black and Blue lands most powerfully is in its final moments, when Gilbert steps out of character and addresses the audience as himself. The performance, until then filtered through constructed personas, suddenly becomes raw and direct. This shift invites the audience to sit with not just a range of viewpoints, but with the vulnerability of the artist himself. This conclusion not only deepened the impact of the piece overall but also fostered a sense of community and connection amongst the audience.
Ultimately, Black and Blue is a potent and timely work and succeeds in being both deeply personal and broadly resonant. Jamar Gilbert opens a space for reflection, conversation, and empathy. It’s a compelling reminder that identity is not monolithic and that people are both incredibly unique and fundamentally similar.
Hollywood Fringe @ The Actors Company, 916 N Formosa Ave., Los Angeles. June 23 8:30 p.m.; June 25 8:30 PM; https://www.theactorscompanyla.com/calendar Running time: 60 minutes with no intermission.
