Set in a struggling barbershop in Harlem,in the 1950’s, “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men” by Lonnie Elder III focuses on the family of Russell B. Parker (a fine Norm Lewis) and his adult children. Parker’s business was unsuccessful so his wife worked to support them. After her death, daughter Adele returns home to help but finds herself doing exactly what her mother did until finally she gives her father and two brothers an ultimatum-find jobs or she’s kicking them out. Although she’s slight, Morgan Siobhan Green as Adele is feisty and the men cower under her wrath.
Parker’s chief pastimes are playing checkers with his friend Mr. Jenkins (James Foster Jr.) and re-reliving his days as a vaudeville dancer. His son Theo (impressive Bryce Michael Wood) is a dilettante, going from one interest to another, always looking for an easy way to make it rich. When Theo produces homemade corn whiskey, the family makes a deal for protection with a crime boss, Blue (Calvin M. Thomas.)

Things don’t go the way Theo anticipated as he finds himself working harder than he imagined while his brother Bobby joins Blue’s men stealing from stores at night and Adele gets involved with an abusive man. With money coming in, Parker changes, growing more confident, and even cocky. Lewis moves better, stands straighter and appears more youthful as he gets involved with a younger woman.

It’s clear where the story is going, especially when Adele is beaten by her jealous boyfriend. It’s also obvious that being in business with Blue will not lead to a happy conclusion.

As Parker, Lewis is worn out, beaten by his life and guilty over his wife’s death. When he tries to do some of his old dance routines, he stumbles, falling over. By the second act when he regains some spark, Lewis displays some of the character’s former flash and energy.The most dynamic character is Theo, who runs the gamut of emotions as he dreams big. Wood gives an impressive performance, especially when he realizes the situation he’s created by entering into business with a criminal.

The shop with the adjoining bedroom feels appropriately run-down and shabby (scenic design-Harry Feiner) “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men” was the runner-up for the 1969 Pulitzer Prize in drama and was adapted for a television movie in 1975.

Directed by Clinton Turner David, the play is gloomy, filled with discontent characters whose lives worsen as the play continues. The drama feels overlong since the ending is inevitable. There are those who are beaten down within the system like Adele and her mother and those like Parker and his sons who think they can outwit the system but fall victim as well. The well-portrayed characters on stage at the Theatre at St. Clements were as real in the 1950’s as they are today.